Sir Edward Heath
Heath, Sir Edward (1916-2005). Prime minister. Heath went to Balliol College, Oxford, where he secured an organ scholarship and became president of the Union. The Second World War deepened Heath's conviction that European reconstruction and unity represented the greatest challenge facing his generation. He was among the impressive new Conservative MPs elected in 1950, joining the ‘One Nation’ group of Tories who took a particular interest in social policy. His maiden speech was on the subject of Europe—the most consistent theme in his career. Heath enjoyed good relations with both Eden and Macmillan; under the latter his career prospered. After the 1959 general election he became minister of labour. In 1960, however, Macmillan decided to make Lord Home foreign secretary with a second cabinet minister (Heath) in the Commons. This proved a turning-point in Heath's career. In 1961 the government determined to seek membership of the Common Market and Heath had the delicate task of negotiating the terms of entry. Though the mission was doomed, Heath won widespread applause for his handling of the discussions.
The choice of Home as a short-term leader in 1963 suited Heath since he was himself not yet ready to stake a claim. In the last year of Conservative government, Heath, as president of the Board of Trade, surprised many by introducing controversial legislation to abolish retail price maintenance. As shadow chancellor in 1965 Heath further impressed. With his commitment to the tasks of opposition he stood in marked contrast to his leading rival for the succession, Reginald Maudling. When Home suddenly resigned in July, Heath secured a narrow victory over Maudling. But Heath never had the subtlety or political skills to compete effectively with Wilson, the Labour leader. His popularity lagged behind that of the prime minister even when the Conservatives were running well ahead. None the less Heath prepared assiduously for government. A major policy review emerged in the document ‘Putting Britain Right Ahead’. It spoke of encouraging a competitive economy, moving from direct to indirect taxation, greater selectivity in the social services, and taking Britain into Europe.
Heath's defeat in the 1966 election had been widely expected. But his comfortable victory in June 1970 surprised most commentators. Whatever Heath's true intentions, his government seemed more right-wing than any since the war. It was certainly beset by bad luck. The chancellor, Iain Macleod, died within a month of the election; Northern Ireland provided unlooked-for difficulties; world economic problems, especially the quadrupling of Arab oil prices in 1973, distorted domestic politics and fuelled inflation. None the less, it is hard to escape the conclusion that Heath's government was a failure. Its one lasting achievement was to take Britain into the EEC, though on terms which ensured that this would remain a contentious issue.
Rising unemployment initiated an abrupt change in policy by the end of 1971. Heath's government now became one of the most interventionist since the war. By 1972 he had re-embraced the notion of an incomes policy. Industrial relations policy proved a disaster. The government finally collapsed in the wake of the miners' strike of 1973-4, to which Heath responded with a three-day week and finally a general election. The campaign was mishandled. A minority Labour government took office after Heath failed to negotiate a deal with the Liberals.
Further defeat followed in a second election in October. By now Heath had succeeded in alienating many of his own backbenchers. Challenged by Margaret Thatcher, he withdrew from the leadership contest after failing to win the first ballot in February 1975. Heath never reconciled himself to these events, and time failed to heal or even soothe his wounds. Heath remained an MP throughout her premiership, devoid of his earlier charm. He remained in the Commons until 2001, becoming father of the House.
