Edward Richard George Heath Biography and Timeline — Page 7

IRA

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

Role range: 1970-1974 – 1970-1974

Sunningdale Agreement

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

Role range: 1970-1974 – 1970-1974

Election

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

Role range: 1974-1974 – 1965-1975

Constitution of Great Britain

The Assembly & power sharing executive is established

Role range: 1970-1974 – 1970-1974

General Strike

Protestants stage a general strike & the Assembly collapses

Role range: 1970-1974 – 1970-1974

Strike

Protestants stage a general strike & the Assembly collapses

Role range: 1970-1974 – 1970-1974

Election

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

Leadership Challenge

Is challenged by Margaret Thatcher in the Conservative leadership contest.

Role range: 1975-1975 – 1965-1975

Member of Parliament

Defeated by Margaret Thatcher

Election

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

Resignation of Edward Richard George Heath

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

Role range: 1975-1975 – 1965-1975

Conference of Conservatives

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

Backbench Politics

Remains a prominent Conservative backbencher after losing the party leadership.

Role range: 1976-1978 – 1950-2001

Thatcher Government Begins

Continues in Parliament as Margaret Thatcher forms a Conservative government.

Role range: 1979-1979 – 1950-2001

Economic Policy Criticism

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

Role range: 1981-1981 – 1950-2001

Constituency Change

Represents Old Bexley and Sidcup after constituency boundary changes.

Role range: 1983-2001 – 1983-2001

Arundells Home

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

Role range: 1985-2005

Thatcher Resignation Period

Observes another Conservative leadership crisis as Margaret Thatcher leaves office.

Role range: 1990-1990 – 1950-2001

Hostages

Secures the release of 33 British hostages

Role range: 1979-1990

Father of the House

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

Role range: 1992-2001 – 1950-2001

Order of the Garter

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

Role range: 1992-1992 – 1950-2001

Parliamentary Bust

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

Role range: 1993-1993

Hostages

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

Role range: 1990-

Memoirs

Publishes memoirs reflecting on his political career and premiership.

Role range: 1998-1998

Knighthood

Becomes the Right Honourable Sir Edward Heath, KG, MBE

Retirement

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

Retirement Announcement

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

Role range: 2000-2001 – 1950-2001

Retirement from Parliament

Retires from Parliament after continuous Commons service since 1950.

Role range: 1950-2001 – 1950-2001

Health of Edward Richard George Heath

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

Role range: 2003-2005

Health of Edward Richard George Heath

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

Saville Inquiry

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

Bloody Sunday

Gives evidence to the Saville Inquiry about Northern Ireland policy.

Role range: 1998-2010 – 1970-1974

Final Public Appearance

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

Role range: 2004-2004

Will

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