Edward Richard George Heath Biography

Birth of Edward Richard George Heath, son of a carpenter & maid. Birth of Edward Richard George Heath

Born in Broadstairs, Kent, into a modest family before his later Conservative political career.

Studies at Chatham House Grammar School and develops academic and musical interests.

Enters Balliol College Oxford to study philosophy politics and economics.

Wins an organ scholarship and continues his strong interest in music at university.

Speaks against appeasement and criticises concessions to Nazi Germany during student debates.

Becomes president of the Oxford University Conservative Association.

Chairs the national Federation of University Conservative Associations during his Oxford years.

Serves as president of Balliol College Junior Common Room while preparing for public life.

Is elected President of the Oxford Union after campaigning against appeasement.

Graduates from Balliol College Oxford with a degree in philosophy politics and economics.

Serves in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War.

Continues wartime service as Allied forces advance through Western Europe.

Appointed Lieutenant Colonel

Ends wartime service with senior army experience that later shapes his public reputation.

Awarded the MBE

Appointed prospective Member of Parliament for Broadstairs

Works briefly in the Civil Service before concentrating on a parliamentary career.

Builds his Conservative candidacy for the Bexley parliamentary seat.

Is elected Conservative MP for Bexley at the 1950 general election.

Elected Member of Parliament for Bexley

Begins parliamentary work as a new Conservative MP in the postwar House of Commons.

Serves as a Conservative backbencher after Winston Churchill returns to office.

Appointed Chief Whip

Becomes the Right Honourable Edward Heath

Becomes Government Chief Whip and manages Conservative parliamentary discipline.

Helps manage Conservative parliamentary business during the Suez crisis period.

Eden goes to Jamaica for the sake of his health, Heath is left to manage the party

Informs Butler that MacMillan has been selected to succeed Eden

Eden informs Heath that he intends to resign on his doctors advice

Continues as Chief Whip after Harold Macmillan becomes Prime Minister.

Enters Cabinet as Minister of Labour after the Conservative election victory.

Almost doubles his majority to 8,633

Appointed Lord Privy Seal in the Foreign Office. Appointed Lord Privy Seal

Gains approval from the cabinet to offer the NUR 5% which ia accepted

Is appointed Lord Privy Seal with responsibility for European negotiations.

Leads detailed British negotiations with the European Economic Community in Brussels.

Becomes President of the Board of Trade under Alec Douglas-Home.

Returns to opposition after Labour wins the 1964 general election.

Appointed Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

Serves briefly as Shadow Chancellor before becoming party leader.

Defeats Powell & Maudling in 1st round of the 1st leadership contest by secret ballot

Appointed Party Leader of the Conservative Party

Is elected Leader of the Conservative Party after Alec Douglas-Home resigns.

Becomes Leader of the Opposition and prepares the Conservatives for government.

The Conservatives win 41.9% of votes cast & 253 seats. Loses the general election by 97 seats

Leads the Conservatives in the 1966 general election but loses to Harold Wilson.

The Conservatives make gains in the Local Government elections

Continues to argue that British membership of the European Community is strategically important.

Supports a moderate form of devolution from Westminster

Dismisses Enoch Powell from the shadow cabinet after his "rivers of blood" speech

Shapes Conservative policy on Europe economic reform and industrial relations.

Moves Conservative policy toward market reform before the next election.

Britain had to accept the Merger Treaty & all decisions taken since the 2nd application & resolve problems of adaptation, ie the Commonwealth

Heath held a brainstorming session of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon, Surrey, the aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 General Election manifesto

The Selsdon meeting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man". Heath held a brainstorming session of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon, Surrey, the aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 General Election manifesto

The Selsdon metting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man". Heath held a brainstorming session of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon, Surrey, the aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 General Election manifesto

The Government withdraws Upper Clyde Shipbuilder support

The Selsdon meeting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man". Heath held a brainstorming session of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon, Surrey, the aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 General Election manifesto

The Selsdon metting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man". Heath held a brainstorming session of the shadow cabinet at The Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon, Surrey, the aim of the meeting was to formulate policies for the 1970 General Election manifesto

The Selsdon meeting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man"

The Selsdon metting, a radical free market agenda, condemned by the then Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, as the work of "Selsdon Man"

Campaigns against Harold Wilson on economic management prices and industrial relations.

End of the Butskellite consensus

Wins a Conservative majority of 37. The Conservative victory is the biggest upset since 1945. The Conservative Party win 46.4% of votes cast & 330 MPs. Conservatives 330, Labour 287, Liberals 6 & others 7

Leads the Conservatives to victory in the general election.

Leads the Conservatives to victory in the 1970 general election.

Is appointed Prime Minister after the Conservative victory over Labour.

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 47th Prime Minister of Great Britain. Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain

Forms a Conservative government with a programme of economic and industrial reform.

Removes restrictions on council house sales

Begins policies aimed at reducing state intervention and changing industrial relations.

Internment without trial introduced in Northern Ireland

Creates the Central Policy Review Staff, "think tank" to advise the Cabinet

Announced in Cabinet in the face of growing industrial unrest

Captains Britains winning team for the Admirals Cup

Captains Britains winning Admirals Cup yachting team

The Hague Convention of 1970 is ratified

Authorises state action after Rolls Royce enters financial crisis.

Oversees decimalisation as Britain changes its currency system.

Decimal coins replace shillings & pence, known as "D-Day"

Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

Government record concerning the IRA: Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

Government record concerning the IRA: Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: Demonstrators demand the arrest of IRA leaders

1,800 more troops are sent to Northern Ireland

Appointed Prime Ministrer of Northern Ireland

The top rate of tax is reduced to 75%. Selective employment tax is halved. Child allowances & old age pensions are increased

The Government decides to build the 3rd London airport at Foulness

Upper Clyde Shipbuilders is declared insolvent & its liquidation announced

Militant shop stewards occupy the four UCS shipyards

Faces escalating conflict in Northern Ireland and pressure for stronger security policy.

Strike ballots & cooling off periods before strike action become statutory. Only registered unions are entitled to legal protection

Britain annexes Rockall

Britain annexes Rockall

The Compton Report rejects allegations of brutality in internment camps

Agreement is reached on the new Rhodesian constitution

Agreement is reached on the new Rhodesian constitution

Agreement is reached on the new Rhodesian constitution

An explosion in a public house in Belfast kills 15

The African National Council is formed to reject the Anglo-Rhodesia settlement

Provokes the national Docks Strike. 5 dockers are arrested under the Industrial Relations Act

Forms a short lived Northern Ireland Assembly

Dissolves the Northern Ireland Parliament & Government

Dissolves the Northern Ireland Parliament & Government

The Conservatives lose Sutton & Cheam to the Liberal Party

The Pearce Comission says terms offered to Smith are unacceptable to Rhodesian blacks

The Pearce Comission says terms offered to Smith are unacceptable to Rhodesian blacks

Founds the Industrial Development Executive with a Minister for Industrial Development

The Government restores policing to "no go" areas in Northern Ireland

The CBI agree to 200 companies limiting price increases to 5%

The NIRC orders a secret ballot for the BR offer which is rejected by 6-1. The arrest of 5 dockers provokes the national Docks Strike. 5 dockers are arrested under the Industrial Relations Act

Confronts the miners strike and the wider challenge of industrial unrest.

1st day of the miners strike

Unemployment reaches one million

Signs Britain's Treaty of Accession to the European Communities at the Brussels ceremony.

Faces crisis after soldiers kill unarmed civil rights marchers in Derry.

Faces political crisis after Bloody Sunday during the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Receives reports after soldiers shoot civil rights marchers in Derry.

Paratroopers open fire on rioting Catholics in Londonderry killing 13. 14 unarmed are were killed by British soldiers during an illegal march in Londonderry

Paratroopers open fire on rioting Catholics in Londonderry killing 13

Wilberforce reccomends 30% to the miners, accepted by the Government, 3X the NCB offer. The miners return to work. Miners reject Wilberforces offer & gain concessions at Downing St

A state of emergency is declared

A state of emergency is declared

Police are forced to give way to pickets at the Saltley coke works

It is announced in Cabinet 35 million will be found to keep 3 of the 4 shipyards open

The Housing Finance Bill is guillotined

Backs an expansionary Budget under Chancellor Anthony Barber.

Introduces direct rule from Westminster after suspending the Stormont government.

Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

Government record concerning the IRA: Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

Government record concerning the IRA: Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

Heath permits his Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw to hold unofficial talks in London with a Provisional IRA delegation by Se n Mac Stiof in

Pay negotiations break down, miners want 47% but are offered 10%

Responds to the expulsion of Asians from Uganda and refugee resettlement pressures.

Icelandic gunboats sink 2 British trawlers in the North Sea in a Cod War

Secures legislation giving domestic effect to European Community obligations.

Leads Britain when its formal ratification notification for the accession treaty is completed.

Access credit cards are introduced in Great Britain

Access credit cards are introduced in Great Britain

The TUC insist on repealing the Housing Finance & Industrial Relations Acts. Negotiations break down

Cabinet agrees to introduce a statutory 90 day freeze of prices & incomes

Announces a freeze on pay, prices & dividends for 90 days, Selsdon u-turn

Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU

Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU

Britain leaves EFTA in order to join the EU

An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

The Northern Ireland Assembly is elected, a power sharing executive

Nicholas Ridley and others created the new group to uphold and promote the free market policies that they believed had won the Conservative Party the 1970 General Election

An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

Government record concerning the IRA: An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

Government record concerning the IRA: An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: An IRA bomb kills 5 women, a gardener & a priest

Northern Ireland votes by an overwhelming majority to remain in the United Kingdom

This record states: Created in 1973 by Nicholas Ridley to promote free-market economic policies, following an intensive discussion to generate ideas at the Selsdon Park Hotel in Selsdon, with Edward Heath and his shadow cabinet in 1970.

This record states: Nicholas Ridley and others created the new group to uphold and promote the free market policies that they believed had won the Conservative Party the 1970 General Election.

This record states: The "Selsdon Declaration", to which all members must subscribe, was adopted at the Selsdon Groups first meeting at the Selsdon Park Hotel in September 1973.

"Fanfare for Europe" celebrations are held to mark Britains entry into the EU

Britain officially becomes a member of the EU

Britain enters the European Communities under Heath's government.

Britain enters the European Communities after long political debate.

Leads Britain when the accession treaty enters into force and European Communities membership begins.

Bombs explode near Trafalgar Square, injuring many people.

His government faces bomb attacks near Trafalgar Square.

The British Government publishes a white paper which proposes a 78-member Northern Ireland Assembly, to be elected by proportional representation. A Council of Ireland will give the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland a voice in each others affairs

A Council of Ireland will give the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland a voice in each others affairs

The British Government publishes a white paper which proposes a 78-member Northern Ireland Assembly, to be elected by proportional representation

A Council of Ireland will give the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland a voice in each others affairs

For the remainder of the year pay rises are to be 1 pound & 4% pa, maximum rise of 250 pounds pa

Introduces VAT as part of the shift from direct to indirect taxation.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Bill becomes law, elections for the new assembly are held 28th June

The Northern Ireland Assembly Bill becomes law, elections for the new assembly are held 28th June

The Northern Ireland Assembly Bill becomes law, elections for the new assembly are held 28th June

The Northern Ireland Assembly Bill becomes law, elections for the new assembly are held 28th June

The Northern Ireland Assembly Bill becomes law, elections for the new assembly are held 28th June

The pro-agreement parties win a clear majority of seats (52 to 26), but a substantial minority inside the Ulster Unionist Party oppose the agreement. The agreement is supported by the nationalist Social Democratic & Labour Party, the unionist Ulster Unionist Party & the moderate unionist & cross-community Alliance Party

The MLR is increased from 7.5% to 11.5% in one month

The Liberals win the Ely & Ripon Bi-Election

The "Selsdon Declaration", to which all members must subscribe, was adopted at the Selsdon Groups first meeting at the Selsdon Park Hotel in September 1973

The "Selsdon Declaration", to which all members must subscribe, was adopted at the Selsdon Groups first meeting at the Selsdon Park Hotel in September 1973

Pay increases will be limited to 2.25 pounds or 7% per week with a maximum of 350 pounds pa. Pay increases will be limited to 2.25 pounds or 7% per week & a maximum increase of 350 pounds pa

Responds to the oil shock and worsening inflation after the Middle East war.

A power sharing executive is set up by Unionist, SDLP & Alliance Parties

Faces a miners overtime ban that intensifies the energy and political crisis.

Faces a miners overtime ban that intensifies the energy crisis and weakens the government.

Britain announces a plan for moderate Protestants and Catholics to share power in Northern Ireland

Prepares emergency restrictions on electricity use as industrial conflict deepens.

Convenes a conference to establish a power sharing Assembly between in North Ireland

Declares a Council for Ireland & a British-Irish Commission for cross-border violence. A communique announces an agreement is issued, which later becomes known as the Sunningdale Agreement

Talks were held between 6 Dec and 9 Dec in the Berkshire town of Sunningdale between the British Prime Minister Edward Heath, the Irish Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and the three pro-agreement parties. Declares the Constitutional status of Northern Ireland.

The Consultative Assembly is to be made up of 30 members from Dail Eireann and 30 members from the Northern Ireland Assembly, It is to have "advisory and review functions" only.

The Council of Ministers is to be composed of seven members from the power-sharing executive, and seven members from the Irish Government.

Declares the Constitutional status of Northern Ireland

The Consultative Assembly is to be made up of 30 members from Dail Eireann and 30 members from the Northern Ireland Assembly, It is to have "advisery and review functions" only

A communique announces an agreement is issued, which later becomes known as the Sunningdale Agreement.

An attempt to end the Northern Ireland troubles by forcing unionists to share power with nationalists.

The Agreement has three parts, an elected Northern Ireland Assembly, a power-sharing cross-community Northern Ireland Executive and a cross-border Council of Ireland.

The Sunningdale Agreement is fiercely repudiated Unionists and the Ulster Unionist Party ceases to support the Conservatives at Westminster contributing to Heaths downfall.

Supports the Sunningdale Agreement as an attempted Northern Ireland power-sharing settlement.

Britain cuts the work week to three days to save energy supply

Britain cuts the work week to three days to save energy supply

Announces emergency restrictions to reduce electricity demand during the miners dispute and energy crisis.

The power-sharing Administration of the Northern Ireland Assembly is sworn in

The Assembly & power sharing executive is established

Protestants stage a general strike & the Assembly collapses

Protestants stage a general strike & the Assembly collapses

Implements the Three Day Week as Britain limits commercial electricity use to conserve power during the miners dispute.

Implements the Three Day Week to conserve electricity during the miners dispute.

Trade figures show a defict of 383 pounds million, the largest on record. The RPI shows that fod prices had risen + 20% over the last year

The RPI shows that fod prices had risen + 20% over the last year. The elections main issues are the miners strike & "who governs Britain". The Conservative Party win 37.9% of votes cast & 297 MPs. Enoch Powell decides he cannot stand for the Conservatives because of their EU policy. An error is reported in the NCBs claim miners earn +8% national average, it is -8%

Enoch Powell decides he cannot stand for the Conservatives because of their EU policy

The elections main issues are the miners strike & "who governs Britain". An error is reported in the NCBs claim miners earn +8% national average, it is -8%

Calls a general election asking voters who governs Britain amid union confrontation.

The island nation of Grenada wins independence from Britain, includes the northern islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique

The island nation of Grenada wins independence from Britain, includes the northern islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique

The island nation of Grenada wins independence from Britain, includes the northern islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique

Faces a full national miners strike that deepens the Three Day Week and election crisis.

Powell makes a speech asking the electorate to vote Labour because of their EC policy

Loses his Commons majority after the February general election produces a hung parliament.

Attempts coalition talks with the Liberal Party after the hung parliament.

Attempts unsuccessfully to form a coaltion with the Liberals

No Party wins an election majority & negotiations with the Liberals break down

Resigns as Prime Minister after coalition talks fail and Labour forms a minority government.

No Party wins an election majority & negotiations with the Liberals break down. Coalition negotiations with leaders of the Liberal Party fail & Heath resigns as Prime Minister & is replaced by Harold Wilson & a minority Labour Government

Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

Government record concerning the IRA: Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

Government record concerning the IRA: Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

IRA context for Edward Richard George Heath: Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

Unionist opposition, Provisional IRA violence & finally a loyalist general strike cause the collapse of the Agreement

Protestant car bombs in Dublin kill 22

Leads the Conservatives in the October election but Labour gains a small majority.

Leaves the Conservative leadership after losing the first ballot to Margaret Thatcher.

Margaret Thatcher wins 130 votes, Ted Heath 119 & Hugh Fraser 16, 1st round

Is challenged by Margaret Thatcher in the Conservative leadership contest.

Heaths favoured candidate William Whitelaw loses to Thatcher, 146 to 79

Defeated by Margaret Thatcher

Remains a prominent Conservative backbencher after losing the party leadership.

Addresses Conservative Party Conference for the 1st time since Thatchers leadership

Continues in Parliament as Margaret Thatcher forms a Conservative government.

Criticises aspects of monetarist economic policy and the direction of Thatcherism.

Represents Old Bexley and Sidcup after constituency boundary changes.

Acquires Arundells in Salisbury which later becomes closely associated with his retirement years.

Secures the release of 33 British hostages

Observes another Conservative leadership crisis as Margaret Thatcher leaves office.

Becomes Father of the House as the longest continuously serving MP.

Is appointed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter.

Receives unusual parliamentary recognition through a commissioned bust during his lifetime.

3 British prisoners are released by the Iraqis after Heath visits Saddam Hussein

Publishes memoirs reflecting on his political career and premiership.

Becomes the Right Honourable Sir Edward Heath, KG, MBE

Announces retirement from the House of Commons, 50 unbroken years as Member of Parliament for Bexley

Prepares to leave the House of Commons after more than fifty years as an MP.

Retires from Parliament after continuous Commons service since 1950.

Gives evidence to the Saville Inquiry about Northern Ireland policy.

Gives evidence to the Saville Inquiry & states that he had never promoted or agreed to the use of unlawful lethal force in Northern Ireland

Suffers a pulmonary embolism while abroad and his public appearances become limited.

Heath suffers a pulmonary embolism, while on holiday in Salzburg, Austria

Makes a final public appearance at a St Pauls Cathedral event connected with Churchill.

Heath leaves œ5 million in his will, most of it bequeathed to a charitable foundation to conserve his 18th century home, Arundells, next to Salisbury Cathedral