Britain officially stayed out of the Vietnam war in the 1960's although the government gave moral support to the United States which annoyed left wing activists. Experts from HMS Vernon were alledged to have advised the USA on mining Haiphong HarbourIn retrospect the verdict on Harold Wilson was " At least he kept us out of it". Was there a possible scenario in which Britain could have sent ground troops air or naval support? Dean Rusk is alledged to have said "One division, the Black Watch would have done"
Here is what may have happened. Harold Macmillan doesn't resign in 1963 and remains in office until 1964 . The Tories scrape back claiming we have never had it so good don't let Labour ruin it. In 1965 America commits ground troops supported by Australia and New Zealand. The British government decides to committ a token force to support our Commonwealth allies but given the slender majority and the possibility of an election it is made clear there are no plans to bring back national service. Macmillan resigns to make way for a new leader and Ted Heath forms a government and goes to the country on a slogan "All the way with LBJ" . Labour opposes involvement and Enoch Powell dissents and is sacked from the cabinet. Would the Tories have won on this slogan?
It wasn't until 1968 that the war became unpopular in the USA and it would probably have been 1968 before conscription was considered necessary
Here is what may have happened. Harold Macmillan doesn't resign in 1963 and remains in office until 1964 . The Tories scrape back claiming we have never had it so good don't let Labour ruin it. In 1965 America commits ground troops supported by Australia and New Zealand. The British government decides to committ a token force to support our Commonwealth allies but given the slender majority and the possibility of an election it is made clear there are no plans to bring back national service. Macmillan resigns to make way for a new leader and Ted Heath forms a government and goes to the country on a slogan "All the way with LBJ" . Labour opposes involvement and Enoch Powell dissents and is sacked from the cabinet. Would the Tories have won on this slogan?
It wasn't until 1968 that the war became unpopular in the USA and it would probably have been 1968 before conscription was considered necessary