The Wilson Governments and the Italian Centre-Left Coalitions: Between ‘Socialist’ Diplomacy and Realpolitik, 1964-70

Abstract

The purpose of this article (based on archival material from the National Archives, Kew, and the Labour archive in Manchester) is to explore the relationship between the British Labour Party and the Italian Socialist Party during the Wilson governments and the Italian centre-left coalitions between 1964 and 1970. The inclusion of the PSI within the Italian government was very much appreciated (and promoted) by Labour as it was expected it would be of great help with regard to issues such as the Multilateral Force or Britain’s second application to join the EEC. For this reason, the British Labour government did its best to support the success of the centre-left formula and was similarly very active in promoting socialist reunification, which was eventually achieved in 1966. As regards the PSI’s occasional radical departures in foreign policy matters - as, for instance, in relation to Vietnam - the Italian socialists’ ‘filial admiration’ for their British counterparts enabled Labour on more than one occasion to bring Nenni’s party into line