I am delighted to have been invited to speak to the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce on this my first visit to the Hague as Leader of the Conservative Party.
Netherlands-British trade
Your invitation could not have been more appropriate. Both our countries still live by trade, as they have done for centuries. Napoleon described the British as a nation of shopkeepers. He meant to be unflattering, but we took his description as a compliment. I am sure the Dutch would have done the same. The foundations of any civilisation are laid by those who produce wealth and who provide services for individuals and for communities. That is something which our two countries have always recognised, and it is a truth which we neglect at our peril.
Today the trading links between our countries have never been stronger Dutch concerns such as Royal Dutch Shell, Unilever and C & A are household names in Britain and are amongst our largest enterprises. The Netherlands, with less than 14 million people, is the fourth largest market in the world for British goods, after the USA, the Federal Republic of Germany and France. Nor are we backward in buying what you produce—far from it. Britain is the Netherland's third best customer and will be buying over £2,000 million of Dutch goods this year. This is substantially more than the value of British exports to the Netherlands, which I know the members of the Chamber will do all they can to encourage. [end p1]
In by-gone days our trading interests have sometimes been more of a hindrance than a help to good relations between our countries. You may know that the first parliamentary constituency I contested was Dartford on the river Medway, which is rather more famous in Dutch naval history than in British. Fortunately for both our countries, when Admiral van Tromp sailed up the Medway with a broomstick tied to his mast to sweep the British fleet off the sea, he only succeeded temporarily.
Political and cultural ties
Over the centuries it has been political and cultural ties that have principally been responsible for binding our two countries together.
In the 16th century in our first Elizabeth age, British and Dutch troops fought side by side to defend the Netherlands.
In the 17th century, we developed our trading links to the extent of importing a William IIIking from you! Dutch art has long been admired in our country, and indeed right now we are having a highly successful exhibition of Dutch pictures and furniture at the National Gallery in London. We fought together as allies in the last war, and now as fellow members of the Atlantic Alliance we have a common responsibility to keep NATO strong. As far as Britain is concerned that is a responsibility I am determined we should properly discharge.
The European Community
Increasingly our friendship is expressed in the frame-work of the European Community. You in the Netherlands have been clear and whole-hearted in your support for the European Community since it was created, and you have benefitted greatly thereby.
It should not be forgotten that it was as long ago as July 1961 that Britain first applied for membership of the Community. In the negotiations which followed there were many disappointments and set backs. [end p2]
But one encouraging feature throughout this difficult time was the consistent and whole-hearted support Britain received from the Netherlands Government. We shall never forget this.
I am proud to lead a Party which under my predecessor, Ted Heath, finally led Britain into the Community. Our decision to enter the EEC was overwhelmingly confirmed by the British people in our referendum last year.
We are now hard at work trying to stimulate the British Government to play its full part in Europe. Next month Britain takes over from the Netherlands as Chairman of the Council of Ministers. I hope we shall use that opportunity wisely, as you have done. Certainly we in the Conservative Party will do our best to breathe courage into the British Minsters as they assume these responsibilities.
Direct Elections
We are also hard at work preparing for the first round of Direct Elections to the European Parliament. I know that this is a cause which you in the Netherlands warmly support. Indeed it deserves the support of all those who want to see democratic influence increased at the heart of the Community.
Co-operation between like-minded parties
I am anxious that, at the same time, there should be a closer co-operation between like-minded political parties across the Community. Of course I understand that history has put difficulties in our way. I know that the political situations in our different countries are by no means the same, and these variations must of course be respected. Nevertheless, I feel sure that as we examine our policies we will find that the common ground is much greater than we supposed at the outset. We all hope for a European Community which is free, which respects the rights of the individual, which acknowledges responsibility towards the weak and which is determined to play its full part in establishing a prosperous and just world order. [end p3]
There is hard work to be done in defending and promoting these principles. The chances of success are much greater if we undertake that work together.
The Community as a source of vigorous new ideas
We must never lose sight of the real purposes for which our European Community was established. It has always seemed to me that one main purpose of that Community has been to continue, in the twentieth century and beyond, Europe's tradition as a source of vigorous new ideas. Of course there are other civilisations and other parts of the world in which important scientific discoveries have been made. The distinctive genius of the European nations is that we have taken our discoveries and turned them to the practical benefit of our citizens. More than that, we have carried our ideas across the world, so that in every continent where Europeans have settled or visited you find the vigour of the ideas which they brought with them. This European vitality won't continue in the modern world if it is fragmented. We must work increasingly together in partnership if, in the next generation, we are to continue to influence the world.
Britain
Finally, I would like to say a word about my own country which you all know so well. I have never supposed that the membership of the European Community would solve all our problems any more than it has solved all yours. Europe gives us opportunities—it cannot force us to use them. Europe opens doors—it does not propel us through them.
These are anxious times for Britain and to many it may seem that we have lost our way. I would like to express to you here today my firm belief in Britain's long-term future.
I do not base that belief on our past history, on the many occasions when we have recovered from dismal situations. I base my belief on the present skills and resources of the British people. [end p4]
What has been lacking lately is the confidence and the will to make successful use of our skills and resources. But I believe that businessmen, trade unionist and politicans alike are learning the right lessons from our recent past. New attitudes are emerging towards achievement and success and towards the restoration of a responsible society.
The Netherlands
Our tasks are not easy and I feel that we have much to learn from you. Though a small nation, the Dutch have remarkable qualities of resourcefulness and determination. Your centuries—long struggle against the sea has culminated in the uniquely impressive Delta project to contain and control the waters of the Rhine estuary. Is there any other country in history that has added ten per cent to its territory without war or the violation of established frontier? Your internationalism is long-standing and deep-rooted. It is remarkable how many international organisations have found themselves in need of a Dutch chief executive:—NATO, IMF, OECD and, until recently, FAO. Food and Agriculture Organisation The Netherlands has given much to the world and still has much to give—in energy, enterprise and European idealism.
Our sense of mission in Europe
I am confident that Britain, like the Netherlands, has a future that will be worthy of its past. It will be a future that derives its main impetus from belonging to a dynamic European Community. I share the vision of European unity that Winston Churchill expressed in his great speech in this city in May 1948. He said:
“The movement for European Unity must be a positive force, deriving its strength from our sense of common spiritual values. It is a dynamic expression of democratic faith based upon moral conceptions and inspired by a sense of mission” .
Let us ensure that our sense of mission in Europe remains alight.