Geoffrey Howe Biography and Timeline — Page 3

Sanctions

Howe tells the United Nations General Assembly that Britain supports agreed European Community measures intended to increase pressure on South Africa over apartheid.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1983-1989

Commonwealth Eminent Persons Initiative

Supports the Commonwealth initiative establishing an Eminent Persons Group to encourage negotiations aimed at ending apartheid in South Africa.

Role range: 1983-1989

European Communities Amendment Bill

Explains the Single European Act to the House of Commons while moving legislation needed to give its treaty changes effect in United Kingdom law.

Role range: 1983-1989

South Africa Mission Announcement

Announces plans for a European Community diplomatic mission to southern Africa following discussions at the European Council in The Hague.

Role range: 1983-1989

Pretoria Discussions

Holds discussions with South African ministers in Pretoria as part of a European Community-backed diplomatic mission.

Role range: 1983-1989

Southern Africa Diplomatic Mission

Travels in southern Africa on a European Community mission seeking political movement on apartheid and regional security.

Role range: 1983-1989

South Africa Policy Report

Reports that his Pretoria mission had conveyed positions supported by the European Community, Commonwealth and United States on political reform in South Africa.

Role range: 1983-1989

East Surrey Re-election 1987

Wins re-election as Conservative Member of Parliament for East Surrey at the 1987 general election.

Foreign Affairs Debate

Opens the first major foreign-affairs debate of the new Parliament and reviews East-West relations, arms control and international security.

Role range: 1983-1989

Iran Iraq Arms Sales Policy

Reaffirms that Britain will not sell either Iran or Iraq defence equipment judged likely to prolong or intensify their war.

Role range: 1983-1989

Arms Control Negotiations

Reports encouraging progress toward a United States-Soviet intermediate nuclear forces agreement while stressing the importance of effective verification.

Role range: 1983-1989

INF Treaty Support

Welcomes the Washington summit and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty as a basis for further verifiable arms-control agreements.

Role range: 1983-1989

European Community Policy

Continues advocating active British participation in European Community decision-making while differences over European integration become increasingly visible within the Government.

Role range: 1983-1989

Conference of Madrid

At the Madrid European Council in June 1989, Howe supports eventual British entry into the ERM, but the United Kingdom does not join until October 1990.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1983-1989

Hong Kong Confidence Mission

Begins a visit to Hong Kong after the Tiananmen Square crackdown to assess confidence and discuss the territory's political future.

Role range: 1983-1989

Immigration

During a visit to Hong Kong, Howe states that Hong Kong residents do not have an automatic general right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1983-1989

Hong Kong Consultations

Completes extensive consultations in Hong Kong with Executive and Legislative Council members, professionals, entrepreneurs, students and other residents.

Role range: 1983-1989

Hong Kong Commons Statement

Reports to the House of Commons on his Hong Kong visit and says the events in Beijing have seriously damaged confidence in China's intentions toward the territory.

Role range: 1983-1989

European Political Cooperation Meeting

Attends a European political cooperation meeting in Paris discussing the Soviet Union, eastern Europe, the Middle East, southern Africa, Cambodia and China.

Role range: 1983-1989

Foreign Secretary Service Ends

Completes more than six years as Foreign Secretary before moving to senior Cabinet responsibilities in the Cabinet Office.

Role range: 1983-1989

Deputy Prime Minister

Geoffrey Howe begins his final Cabinet role on 24 July 1989 as Deputy Prime Minister and Lord President of the Council with special responsibility for political and constitutional reform.

Role range: 1987-1990 – 1989-1990

Leader of House of Commons

Geoffrey Howe is appointed Leader of the House of Commons on 24 July 1989.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Lord President

Geoffrey Howe is appointed Lord President of the Council on 24 July 1989.

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Diplomatic Relations

Britain and Argentina agree at Madrid in October 1989 on steps toward restoring normal relations, including arrangements for consular and diplomatic contacts.

Role range: 1982-1982 – 1983-1989

Privileges Committee Chairmanship

Becomes chairman of the House of Commons Privileges Committee while serving in his final Cabinet post.

Role range: 1989-1990

Resignation of Geoffrey Howe

Geoffrey Howe resigns from the Government on 1 November 1990 following major disagreements with Margaret Thatcher over European policy.

Role range: 1987-1990 – 1989-1990

Privileges Committee Chairmanship Ends

Completes his period as chairman of the House of Commons Privileges Committee shortly after leaving the Government.

Role range: 1989-1990

Resignation Speech

On 13 November 1990, Howe delivers a resignation speech in the House of Commons criticising Margaret Thatcher's approach to Europe and intensifying pressure on her leadership.

Role range: 1989-1990

Backbench Parliamentary Service

Continues serving as Conservative Member of Parliament for East Surrey from the back benches after leaving the Cabinet.

Role range: 1990-1992

House of Commons Service Ends

Ends his House of Commons career after representing Bebington, Reigate and East Surrey during separate periods between 1964 and 1992.

Baron Howe of Aberavon

Is created a life peer as Baron Howe of Aberavon and begins a new phase of parliamentary service in the House of Lords.

House of Lords Entry

Takes his place in the House of Lords as Lord Howe of Aberavon following the creation of his life peerage.

Conflict of Loyalty Publication

Publishes Conflict of Loyalty, a memoir covering his legal career, Conservative politics and service in Margaret Thatcher's governments.

House of Lords Reform Joint Committee

Joins the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform to examine proposals concerning the future composition and role of the upper chamber.

Tax Law Rewrite Bills Committee

Joins the Joint Committee on Tax Law Rewrite Bills, contributing to parliamentary scrutiny of legislation intended to simplify tax law.

Constitutional Reform Bill Committee

Joins the House of Lords committee examining the Constitutional Reform Bill and proposed changes to major constitutional institutions.

Constitutional Reform Committee Service Ends

Completes his service on the House of Lords committee scrutinising the Constitutional Reform Bill.

House of Lords Reform Committee Service Ends

Completes his membership of the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform after nearly three years of committee service.

Tax Law Rewrite Committee Service Ends

Completes his membership of the Joint Committee on Tax Law Rewrite Bills.

Privileges and Conduct Committee

Joins the House of Lords Committee for Privileges and Conduct, participating in consideration of parliamentary privilege and standards matters.