Eurocommunism in the 1970s and the USA

[uk 75]

The 1970s were a turbulent decade in Europe.
Without going into too much political detail events could have seen Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain with left wing governments opposed to NATO and the US. Even in France and Germany disillusionment with the Vietnam war and a widespread fear of nuclear war could have resulted in socialist governments lukewarm to NATO.
President Carter wins the 1976 US election on a platform of domestic economic investment and no more costly foreign wars.
The Soviet Union offers to withdraw forces from Germany and Czechoslovakia if the US does likewise.
In the UK Harold Wilson retires on health grounds and in a surprise vote change in the ruling Labour Party he is succeeded by Tony Benn. Benn offers to give up UK and US nuclear forces in Britain as part of Arms Control negotiations in Vienna.
The Soviet Union in response agrees to withdraw its SS4 and SS5 missiles aimed at the UK.
Carter and Breshnev meet in New York at the UN. They agree to take forward deep cuts in nuclear forces and conventional forces in Europe.
By 1980 the tension between East and West has been reduced further by the Helsinki accords.
Removal of foreign forces from Germany is agreed for completion by 1985. Chancellor Brandt invites Secretary Honecker to visit Bonn in 1981.
In Berlin the four powers agree to withdraw their garrisons from the city by 1985 as part of the MBFR agreement.
Honecker announces relaxed travel rules for GDR nationals before flying to Bonn.
In Britain the Benn government wins the June 1979 general election. Margaret Thatcher resigns as Conservative leader in August and is replaced by Enoch Powell who rejoined the party in 1978.
Tony Benn tells Parliament that changes in Europe since 1974 mean that NATO and the European Economic Community have been reformed so that UK membership is no longer in doubt.
One country, however, bucks the trend. France's President Chirac tells the National Assembly in 1982 that although France will withdraw its forces in Germany it will not give up the nuclear weapons of the Force Discussion and it's tactical nuclear bombs and missiles.

 

[uk 75]

The implications for various programmes if the above timeline had happened are considerable.
MRCA is already flying in prototype form. Germany is its harshest critic (Egg laying Milk giving Wool bearing pig) and pulls the plug in the mid 70s. The new Benn government in UK in 1976 and Italy consider going on alone, but decide that domestic programmes have to take priority. Italy goes ahead with AMX as a cheaper substitute. The UK keeps its Phantom, Jaguar, Buccaneer force.
The re-equipment of units in the FRG in the late 70s early 80s no longer happens. BAOR, Berlin Brigade and RAF Germany are withdrawn by 1985. The Army is reduced to three UK based airportable divisions with one armoured brigade in Wiltshire.
The Royal Navy keeps its nuclear submarines but the T class are not built and the Polaris force starts to phase out in the 80s as part of the Vienna accords.
HMS Invincible is completed and replaces HMS Hermes in 1982 as fleet flagship. Illustrious and Ark Royal are cancelled.
The UK agrees a lease arrangement in 1977 between the Falklands Islands Company and Argentina. By 1980 most of the islanders have resettled in New Zealand and the UK.
The US continues to develop its strategic nuclear weapons force but shifts its focus away from ICBMs to the Trident force and developing the B2 to replace B52s. The Minuteman force is reduced as part of the Vienna Accords.
The withdrawal of US 7th Army and USAFE by 1985 leads to a reappraisal of US requirements. The Iranian revolution of 1977 comes on the heals of the Egyptian revolution that year which deposes Sadat for negotiating with Israel.
Saudi Arabia breaks with its Arab allies in the face of threats from Iran and Iraq to sieze it's oilfields. The 82nd Airborne is the first of several US formations rushed to the Kingdom.
President Carter narrowly wins the 1980 US elections against Bob Dole.

 

[zen]

So Anthony Wedgwood Benn held principled opposition to EEC membership and favoured asking for financial assistance from Comecon rather than the IMF.

A Benn premiership, is likely to be highly turbulent and possibly triggering a Coup.

Powell would actually support Benn's opposition to EEC membership and would likely court senior figures in the Establishment for backing to remove Benn.

Chirac is a bit young for 1982.