Geoffrey Howe Biography and Timeline

Birth of Geoffrey Howe

Geoffrey Howe is born on 20 December 1926.

Military Officer Training

Begins officer training during national service before serving with the Royal Corps of Signals.

East Africa Military Service

Serves as a second lieutenant with the Royal Corps of Signals in East Africa during his period of national service.

Trinity Hall Cambridge

Begins reading law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, after completing his national service.

Cambridge University Conservative Association

Serves as chairman of the Cambridge University Conservative Association while studying at Trinity Hall.

Called to the Bar

Is called to the Bar by the Middle Temple and begins a professional legal career.

Aberavon General Election

Contests the Labour-held Aberavon constituency as the Conservative candidate at the 1955 general election but is not elected.

Bow Group Chairmanship

Becomes chairman of the Bow Group, an influential Conservative policy organisation associated with younger modernising Conservatives.

A Giant's Strength Report

Co-authors A Giant's Strength, a Conservative legal-policy report arguing for reform of trade-union law and privileges.

Aberavon General Election

Again contests Aberavon for the Conservative Party at the 1959 general election but is not elected.

Crossbow Policy Writing

Edits and contributes to the Bow Group journal Crossbow, using it to develop and publish Conservative policy ideas.

Member of Parliament

Geoffrey Howe is elected Member of Parliament for Bebington on 15 October 1964.

Maiden Speech

Delivers his maiden speech in the House of Commons during debate on the Budget, discussing taxation, pensions and economic policy.

Appointment as Queen's Counsel

Takes silk and becomes Queen's Counsel while continuing his legal and political career.

Bebington Election Defeat

Loses the Bebington constituency at the 1966 general election and returns to legal practice.

Aberfan Tribunal Representation

Represents National Coal Board officials at the tribunal investigating the Aberfan disaster.

Women and Taxation Inquiry

Serves on a Conservative inquiry examining discrimination against women, including inequalities embedded in the tax system.

Ely Hospital Inquiry

Chairs an inquiry into allegations of cruelty and poor treatment at Ely Hospital in Cardiff.

Reigate Election

Is elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Reigate at the 1970 general election.

Solicitor General

Geoffrey Howe is appointed Solicitor General in Edward Heath's government.

Role range: 1970-1974 – 1970-1972

Knighthood

Receives a knighthood after returning to Parliament and being appointed Solicitor General in Edward Heath's government.

Trade and Consumer Affairs Appointment

Becomes Minister of State for Trade and Consumer Affairs after leaving the office of Solicitor General.

Fair Trading Bill Second Reading

Introduces the Fair Trading Bill at second reading and argues that stronger competition and consumer protection should operate together.

Minister of Trade & Industry

Geoffrey Howe is appointed Minister of State for Trade and Consumer Affairs in November 1972.

Role range: 1970-1974 – 1972-1974

Fair Trading Act

Helps carry through legislation establishing a new framework for fair trading, competition policy and consumer protection.

East Surrey Election

Is elected Conservative Member of Parliament for East Surrey after the abolition of the Reigate constituency.

Shadow Cabinet Appointment

Becomes a Conservative Shadow Secretary of State following the party's move into opposition after the February 1974 election.

Shadow Chancellor Appointment

Is appointed Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and becomes the Conservative Party's principal spokesman on economic and Treasury policy.

Member of Parliament

Geoffrey Howe reaches the second ballot of the 1975 Conservative Party leadership contest.

National Insurance Surcharge Debate

Challenges the Labour Government's National Insurance surcharge policy during Commons debate as Shadow Chancellor.

European Monetary System Debate

Takes part in House of Commons debate on proposals for the European Monetary System while serving as Shadow Chancellor.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Geoffrey Howe is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer on 5 May 1979.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1979-1983

Exchange Controls Abolished

Howe abolishes the remaining exchange controls on the movement of capital on 23 October 1979.

Role range: 1979-1983

Basic Income Tax Reduction

Reduces the basic rate of income tax from 33 percent to 30 percent in his first Budget as Chancellor.

Role range: 1979-1983

Top Income Tax Rate Reduction

Reduces the top rate of income tax on earned income from 83 percent to 60 percent as part of the 1979 Budget.

Role range: 1979-1983

VAT Rate Reform

Replaces the previous main VAT rates with a single standard rate of 15 percent as part of the 1979 Budget.

Role range: 1979-1983

Budget Policy

The 1979 Budget under Geoffrey Howe sets out the Government's taxation, expenditure and borrowing plans.

Role range: 1979-1983

Budget

Geoffrey Howe presents the 1979 Budget to the House of Commons as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Role range: 1979-1983

Economy of Great Britain

When the European Monetary System and its Exchange Rate Mechanism begin operating in 1979, the United Kingdom does not join the ERM.

Role range: 1979-1990

European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM)

The United Kingdom remains outside the Exchange Rate Mechanism when the system begins operating in 1979.

Role range: 1979-1990