In 1975, a national referendum was held on whether the United Kingdom should maintain its membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), now the European Union. This is the only example the UK has of a national referendum. The date set for the referendum was June 5th, 1975.

 

The question on the paper was: “Do you think that the United Kingdom should stay in the European Community (The Common Market)?”

 

In England the voting was:

 

Yes – 14,918,009 (68.7%)

 

No – 6,812,052 (31.3%)

 

Spoilt papers – 42,161

 

In Wales the voting was

 

Yes – 869,135 (64.8%)

 

No – 472,071 (35.2%)

 

Spoilt papers – 4,339

 

In Scotland the voting was:

 

Yes – 1,332,186 (58.4%)

 

No – 948,039 (41.6%)

 

Spoilt papers – 6,541

 

In Northern Ireland the voting was:

 

Yes – 259,251 (52.1%)

 

No – 237,911 (47.9%)

 

Spoilt papers – 1,589

 

Total United Kingdom:

 

Yes – 17,378,581 (67.2%)

 

No – 8,470,073 (32.8%)

 

Spoilt papers – 54,540

 

Total turnout = 64% of registered electorate