Ironically, Lawson was most noted for being one of 69 rebel Labour MPs who disobeyed a three-line whip to vote with the then Conservative Government in securing Britain's accession into the European Economic Community (EEC) in October 1971. Unlike most other pro-EEC Labour 'moderates', however, he was an opponent of Scottish devolution, and following his retirement from the House of Commons he was made campaign director of the anti-Home Rule group "Scotland is British", remaining so until his death.
Ironically, Lawson was most recognized for being one of 69 rebel Labour MPs who defied a three-line whip to vote with the then Conservative Government in securing Britain's accession into the European Economic Community (EEC) in October 1971. Unlike most other pro-EEC Labour 'moderates', however, he was an opponent of Scottish devolution, and following his retirement from the House of Commons he was made campaign director of the anti-Home Rule group "Scotland is British", remaining so until his death.