All on the tin really. Could Heath staying on as leader of the opposition hurt the case?
Heath was pretty unpopular at the time and was as Eurofilic as they come, so I'd imagine that could well harm the Yes campaign.
I remember hearing the public were pretty overwhelmingly against greater involvement in Europe at the start of the year, so it wouldn't take much for a No vote.
In the shortterm, this could serve to bring about a Michael Foot premiership. Callaghan is Foreign Sec in 1975 and I just can't see any way for him to shake off the defeat, so even if Foot isn't PM after Wilson's resignation, it won't be Callaghan.
I think after a no vote Heath's days as party leader will be numbered as well. With Thatcher defeated (presumerably) earlier on in 1975, who could challenge Heath for the leadership that year. It'd probably have to be someone who campaigned against the EEC, or at the very least someone who kept their distance from the Yes campaign...
