Michael Heseltine Biography and Timeline — Page 6

Windfall Tax

Leads a Commons motion opposing a proposed windfall tax on privatised utilities.

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1995-1997

Civil Service Impartiality

Reaffirms the Government's commitment to a politically impartial home civil service.

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1995-1997

European Referendum Reservations

Opposes using referendums as a routine mechanism for resolving major European policy questions, fearing they could intensify Conservative divisions.

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1995-1997

Millennium Exhibition Coordination

Uses his senior government role to help drive preparations for the Millennium Exhibition and secure cross-party continuity for the project.

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1995-1997

Prime Minister's Questions

Deputises for Prime Minister John Major at Commons questions while Major is returning from an overseas visit.

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1995-1997

Haymarket Digital Expansion

After leaving government, returns greater attention to Haymarket and supports expansion into websites and digital publishing.

Haymarket Chairmanship

Becomes chairman of Haymarket after Lindsay Masters retires, increasing his direct involvement with the publishing group.

Britain in Europe Campaign

Becomes a prominent Conservative supporter of the cross-party Britain in Europe campaign advocating a strong British role inside the European Union.

Conservative Euroscepticism Criticism

Criticises the Conservative leadership's increasingly Eurosceptic stance and argues that withdrawal from European influence would damage British interests.

Boris Johnson Leave Decision

Criticises Boris Johnson's decision to support Leave, arguing that uncertainty about such a fundamental choice favours remaining in the European Union.

Remain Campaign Fundraising

Attends a Britain Stronger in Europe fundraising event alongside business and political figures supporting continued European Union membership.

Remain Campaign Young Voters

Argues during the referendum campaign that younger pro-European voters need to be mobilised to participate in the vote.

Boris Johnson Hitler Comparison

Condemns Boris Johnson's comparison between European integration and Hitler's ambitions, calling the analogy irresponsible and damaging to serious referendum debate.

European Peace Argument

Emphasises that European cooperation transformed relations among democratic states after repeated continental wars and should not be compared with coercive empire.

Remain Cross-party Letter

Joins senior politicians from different parties in a late referendum appeal urging voters to reject division and isolation and remain in the European Union.

EU Referendum Remain Vote

Campaigns for and votes for continued British membership of the European Union in the referendum held on 23 June.

Cross-party Brexit Reconsideration

Calls for a cross-party parliamentary effort to examine the available options and articulate a case for reconsidering Brexit once the proposed terms become clear.

Referendum Result Response

After the Leave victory, argues that Parliament should examine the actual withdrawal terms before treating the referendum as settling every detail of Britain's future relationship.

Remain Campaign

Campaigns for continued British membership of the European Union as a senior Conservative figure.

Role range: 2015-2016

Conservative European Tradition

Presents his support for Europe as part of a Conservative tradition stretching from Churchill and Macmillan through Heath and later Conservative governments.

European Single Market Concern

Continues to stress after the referendum that British prosperity is closely connected to European markets and that withdrawal creates major investment uncertainty.

Remain Campaign Business Support

Works with the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign and supports efforts to persuade major companies to explain the business risks they associate with Brexit.