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Harold MacmillanHarold Macmillan, a Conservative politician became prime minister in 1957 and served until 1963. He repaired the rift between the USA and Britain created by Suez and secured for Britain co-operation on issues of nuclear defense. Paradoxically his success with the USA jeopardized his efforts to get Britain into the European Economic Community, for it was one of the reasons why de Gaulle vetoed Britain's application to join in 1963. After early successes at home as well as abroad (he acquired the nickname 'Supermac'), his party was returned with an increased majority in 1959. The later years of his administration were clouded by economic troubles, the EC veto and the Profumo scandal. But it was ill health that caused him to resign in 1963.