There are a multitude of reasons why Britain chose originally not to join but then joined in 1973. There are also several reasons for the change of heart that occurred between then and 1973. Britain felt it was in their best interests not to join a supranational organization but to wait and feel out the situation. This all began from 1950 with the Schuman plan which was initially refused by the Attlee government due to a feared loss of Economic sovereignty and Political sovereignty. This however was just a prequel to the main plan for a European Community.
In 1955 talks took place at Messina for a supranational organization. Britain was offered into the talks but in the end did not go in for the Treaty of Rome two years later. There were several reasons for this initial refusal and many sides to the argument of right and wrong. The main reason listed for why Britain did not join is simply because they didn't want to join such an organization. The other six nations joined as it was in their national interests e.g. France was over producing produce and Germans were manufacturing and it would help limit Germany. Also the three smaller nations would be able to increase their importance in Europe and have a share in the others economies. Britain did not have such a reason to join as they were comfortable in the commonwealth and with ties toward the USA they felt like there was no need to join with the others as they were also proposing a Free Trade Area to help the economy anyway. .
.
