Pressed by the Americans and preoccupied with domestic crisis, Wilson wanted an initiative to harness confidence in the government's economic policies and to provide a framework for Britain's continued presence on the international stage. He hoped he could persuade de Gaulle to admit Britain; but Wilson also presented an initiative convincing to European opinion, enabling Britain to enter the EEC after de Gaulle's departure. Without Harold Wilson, it would have been extremely unlikely that Edward Heath could have embarked on Britain's final, successful initiative so soon after the 1970 election.