Diary entry (16 January 1975), quoted in The Castle Diaries, 1974–76 (1980), p. 281
“
Finally to the channel tunnel. Personally I am relieved that Tony Crosland has decided we can't go ahead. This is not only anti-Common Market prejudice. It is a kind of earthy feeling that an island is an island and should not be violated. Certainly I am convinced that the building of a tunnel would do something profound to the national attitude – and not certainly for the better.
— Barbara Castle
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Finally to the channel tunnel. Personally I am relieved that Tony Crosland has decided we can't go ahead. This is not only anti-Common Market prejudice. It is a kind of earthy feeling that an island is an island and should not be violated. Certainly I am convinced that the building of a tunnel would do something profound to the national attitude – and not certainly for the better." in the context of "Diary entry (16 January 1975), quoted in The Castle Diaries, 1974–76 (1980), p. 281" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Barbara Castle" (Quotes)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Barbara Castle
Barbara Anne Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn, PC, GCOT (née Betts, 6 October 1910 – 3 May 2002) was a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Blackburn from 1945 to 1979, making her the longest-serving female MP in the history of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, until her record was surpassed in 2007 by Gwyneth Dunwoody. She became the Member of the European Parliament for Greater Manchester North in 1979, and later Greater Manchester West (European Parliament constituency) from 1984 to 1989. One of the most significant Labour Party politicians of the 20th century, she served in the Cabinet under Prime Minister Harold Wilson in a number of roles, including as Secretary of State for Employment, Secretary of State for Health and Social Services, and First Secretary of State.
About Barbara Castle
Barbara Anne Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn, PC, GCOT (née Betts, 6 October 1910 – 3 May 2002) was a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Blackburn from 1945 to 1979, making her the longest-serving female MP in the history of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, until her record was surpassed in 2007 by Gwyneth Dunwoody. She became the Member of the European Parliament for Greater Manchester North in 1979, and later Greater Manchester West (European Parliament constituency) from 1984 to 1989. One of the most significant Labour Party politicians of the 20th century, she served in the Cabinet under Prime Minister Harold Wilson in a number of roles, including as Secretary of State for Employment, Secretary of State for Health and Social Services, and First Secretary of State.
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