Defence Portfolio
Healey takes responsibility for developing Labour’s defence policy before the general election.
Role range: 1963-1964
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Denis Winston Healey Biography and Timeline — Page 3
Follow Denis Winston Healey through 350 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Denis Winston Healey, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
350Distinct records
3 of 9Page
1963–1970Years on this page
1963
1964
Cabinet
Healey enters Harold Wilson's cabinet as Secretary of State for Defence.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Defence Secretary Appointment
Healey joins Harold Wilson’s Cabinet as Secretary of State for Defence.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Election
After Labour won the 1964 election Healey serves throughout the Government as Secretary of State for Defence.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Healey reassesses Britain’s global defence commitments
Healey reassesses Britain’s global defence commitments while seeking substantial reductions in military expenditure.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Suez Canal
Healey prepares the reduction of permanent British military commitments east of Suez.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Polaris Programme
Healey is responsible for defence policy as the Labour Government continues the Polaris programme.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Healey is appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Defence.
Role range: 1964-1964
1965
TSR-2 Cancellation
Healey announces the cancellation of the costly TSR-2 strike and reconnaissance aircraft programme.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
TSR-2
Healey announces cancellation of the TSR-2 strike aircraft programme.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
HS.681 Cancellation
Healey cancels the HS.681 transport aircraft project as the government reduces planned defence expenditure.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
P.1154 Cancellation
Healey cancels the Hawker Siddeley P.1154 vertical-take-off fighter project during defence economies.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Polaris Fleet
Healey cancels the planned fifth Polaris submarine while retaining a four-boat nuclear deterrent force.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
1966
CVA-01 Cancellation
Healey cancels the proposed CVA-01 aircraft carrier as part of a shift away from large carrier operations.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Defence Review
Healey publishes a defence review aimed at reducing commitments and modernising strategy.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Defence White Paper
Healey publishes a major defence review designed to concentrate British commitments in Europe and NATO.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
NATO
Healey keeps NATO and the defence of Western Europe at the centre of British military planning.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
NATO
Healey keeps NATO commitments central while seeking savings in wider British defence policy.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
1967
Election
Healey cuts defence expenditure, including the carrier HMS Centaur and the reconstructed HMS Victorious.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Aden Evacuation
Healey oversees military planning for Britain’s withdrawal from Aden amid worsening violence.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Aden Withdrawal
Healey oversees defence planning as Britain prepares to leave Aden.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
F-111A Debate
Healey defends the proposed purchase of American F-111A aircraft before the order is later cancelled.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
F-111A
Healey faces cancellation of the planned F-111A purchase from the United States.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
F111A order from the USA is cancelled, Healey is opposed
The F111A order from the USA is cancelled, Healey is opposed but is overruled by Wilson.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
HMS Centaur
Healey approves the withdrawal of HMS Centaur as carrier forces are reduced.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
HMS Victorious
Healey decides against an expensive reconstruction of HMS Victorious after a serious fire.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
1968
Defence Budget
Wilson and Healey announce carrier cuts and withdrawals from major bases east of Suez.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Devaluation
After devaluation, Wilson and Healey announce carrier cuts and withdrawals from bases east of Suez.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
East of Suez
The East of Suez phrase enters political language as Labour plans withdrawal from major overseas bases.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Accelerated Withdrawal
Healey announces faster withdrawal from major British bases east of Suez.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
East of Suez
Healey announces accelerated withdrawal from major bases east of Suez.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
F-111A Cancellation
Healey accepts cancellation of the F-111A order after rising costs and economic pressure undermine the programme.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Singapore and Malaysia
Healey plans the ending of Britain’s permanent military presence in Singapore and Malaysia.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
1969
Flexible Response
Healey supports NATO’s flexible-response strategy combining conventional forces with nuclear deterrence.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
1970
Departure from Defence Ministry
Healey leaves the Defence Ministry after Labour loses the general election.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Shadow Cabinet
Healey becomes shadow defence spokesman after Labour loses the general election.
Role range: 1970-1970
Opposition Front Bench
Healey returns immediately to Labour’s front bench as a shadow secretary of state.
Role range: 1970-1972
National Executive Committee
Healey begins a five-year term on Labour’s National Executive Committee.
Role range: 1970-1975
National Executive Committee
Healey begins service on Labour's National Executive Committee.
Role range: 1970-1975
Defence Budget
Healey cancels the proposed CVA-01 fleet carrier replacement and downgrades HMS Hermes in 1970 to a Commando Carrier.
Role range: 1964-1970 – 1964-1970
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.