Anonymous ID: a72ac1 May 26, 2019, 1:07 p.m. No.6595045   🗄️.is đź”—kun   >>5081

Fo4rmer Pm Edward Heath was awarded the Charlemagne Prize for a speec that led to the UK joining the EEC.

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1130623/eu-news-brexit-deal-theresa-may-resign-conservative-leader-edward-heath-eec-spt

 

As Brexit uncertainty looms with the prospect of not only a new leader but a General Election drawing closer, newly-resurfaced reports have shed some light on the man who took Britain into the bloc in the first place.

 

Former Prime Minister Edward Heath signed the accession treaty to join the EEC – the precursor to the EU – in 1972.

 

However, that was just the culmination of a lifetime of efforts as the Conservative politician had already started warming to his task in 1961, when Harold Macmillan announced he had applied to join the Community for the first time.

 

Mr Heath quickly gained the nickname of “Mr Europe” and kept pressing Britain’s cause in Brussels and championing the European aspiration at home.

 

Despite the failure of Mr Macmillan's negotiations, Mr Heath’s contribution was still praised.

 

According to his 1993 biography written by John Campbell, after French President Charles De Gaulle exercised his veto against Britain, Mr Heath responded: “We in Britain are not going to turn our backs on the mainland of Europe or on the countries of the Community.

 

“We are a part of Europe: by geography, tradition, history, culture and civilisation.”

 

Because of this speech, he was awarded the Charlemagne Prize in 1963 for his work done towards European unification.

 

According to 1990 book “Treason at Maastricht” by author Rodney Atkinson and political activist Norris McWhirter, Mr Heath received £75,000 as part of his prize.

 

In today’s money that equates to around £1.5million.

 

The book says: "[Mr Heath] certainly benefited, after having signed away British sovereignty in 1972, from the £75,000 Charlemagne Prize – presented by the German city of Aachen – for those who have done most for the construction of the European State.”

 

The Charlemagne Prize is linked to the Coudenhove Kalergi Plan - they don't use that name for it though as it gives away the plan.