Heath ministry
Premiership of Edward Heath From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edward Heath of the Conservative Party formed the Heath ministry and was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Queen Elizabeth II on 19 June 1970, following the 18 June general election. Heath's ministry ended after the February 1974 general election, which produced a hung parliament, leading to the formation of a minority government by Harold Wilson of the Labour Party.
Heath ministry | |
|---|---|
_(St_Edwards_Crown).svg){kind=small} Cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
| 1970 – 1974 | |
.jpg) Heath in 1969 | |
| Date formed | 19 June 1970 |
| Date dissolved | 4 March 1974 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Edward Heath |
| Prime Minister's history | 1970–1974 |
| Deputy Prime Minister | [note 1] |
| Total no. of members | 211 appointments |
| Member party | Conservative Party |
| Status in legislature |
|
| Opposition cabinet | Wilson Shadow Cabinet |
| Opposition party | Labour Party |
| Opposition leader | Harold Wilson |
| History | |
| Election | 1970 general election |
| Outgoing election | 1974 general election |
| Legislature terms | 45th UK Parliament |
| Predecessor | Second Wilson ministry |
| Successor | Third Wilson ministry |
Heath had been elected leader of the Conservative Party in 1965 to succeed Alec Douglas-Home, within a few months of the party's election defeat after 13 years in government. His first general election as leader the following year ended in defeat as Wilson's Labour government increased its majority. The Conservatives enjoyed a surge in support over the next two years as the British economy went through a period of fluctuation with growth and contraction. Unemployment rose significantly, but when Harold Wilson called a general election for June 1970, the opinion polls all pointed towards a third successive Labour victory.
It was a major surprise when the Conservatives won with a majority of 30 seats.[1]
Heath's government initially enjoyed a strong economy and relatively low unemployment, and on 1 January 1973 the United Kingdom became a member state of the European Communities, principally the European Economic Community. But then came the 1973 oil crisis, and just before Christmas, Heath declared a three-day week in which the use of offices, factories and most public buildings was reduced to three days a week. He also faced a battle with the unions over pay freezes and restraints, which sparked a rise in strikes. The economy also entered a recession.
Heath's response in February 1974 was to call a general election, urging the voters to decide whether it was the government or the unions which ran Britain. The election on 28 February 1974 resulted in a hung parliament, in which the Conservatives had the most votes but Labour had the most seats. After talks with the Liberals about forming a coalition government failed, Labour formed a minority government on 4 March.[2] A second general election was widely anticipated later in 1974, and was called by Harold Wilson for 10 October, in which the Labour Party gained a three-seat majority. This meant that Wilson had now won four of the five general elections he had contested, while Heath had now lost three of his four general elections, and it seemed inevitable that his leadership would soon end.[3]
Cabinet
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Perspective
June 1970 – March 1974
The cabinet appointed in June 1970 comprised the following:[4]
- Prime Minister: Edward Heath
- Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain: Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone
- Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council: William Whitelaw
- Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal: George Jellicoe, 2nd Earl Jellicoe
- Chancellor of the Exchequer: Iain Macleod
- Foreign Secretary: Alec Douglas-Home
- Home Secretary: Reginald Maudling
- Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: Jim Prior
- Secretary of State for Defence: Peter Carrington, 6th Baron Carrington
- Secretary of State for Education and Science: Margaret Thatcher
- Secretary of State for Employment: Robert Carr
- Minister of Housing and Local Government: Peter Walker
- Secretary of State for Social Services: Sir Keith Joseph
- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Anthony Barber
- Secretary of State for Scotland: Gordon Campbell
- Minister for Technology: Geoffrey Rippon
- President of the Board of Trade: Michael Noble
- Secretary of State for Wales: Peter Thomas
Changes
- July 1970 – Iain Macleod dies, and is succeeded as Chancellor by Anthony Barber. Geoffrey Rippon succeeds Barber as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. John Davies succeeds Rippon as Secretary for Technology.
- October 1970 – The Ministry of Technology and the Board of Trade are merged to become the Department of Trade and Industry. John Davies becomes Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Michael Noble leaves the cabinet. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government is succeeded by the new department of the Environment which was headed by Peter Walker.
- March 1972 – Robert Carr succeeds William Whitelaw as Lord President and Leader of the House of Commons. Maurice Macmillan succeeds Carr as Secretary for Employment. Whitelaw becomes Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
- July 1972 – Robert Carr succeeds Reginald Maudling as Home Secretary. Jim Prior succeeds Robert Carr as Lord President and Leader of the House of Commons. Joseph Godber succeeds Prior as Secretary for Agriculture.
- November 1972 – Geoffrey Rippon succeeds Peter Walker as Secretary for the Environment. John Davies succeeds Rippon as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Peter Walker succeeds Davies as Secretary for Trade and Industry. Geoffrey Howe becomes Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs with a seat in the cabinet.
- June 1973 – The Lord Windlesham succeeds Lord Jellicoe as Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords.
- December 1973 – William Whitelaw succeeds Maurice Macmillan as Secretary for Employment. Francis Pym succeeds Whitelaw as Secretary for Northern Ireland. Macmillan becomes Paymaster-General.
- January 1974 – Ian Gilmour succeeds Lord Carrington as Secretary for Defence; Lord Carrington becomes Secretary of State for Energy.
List of ministers
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Perspective
Cabinet members are in bold face.
| Office | Name | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service | Edward Heath | 19 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 | |
| Parliamentary Secretary for the Civil Service Department | David Howell | 23 June 1970 – 26 March 1972 | |
| Kenneth Baker | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Geoffrey Johnson-Smith | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain | Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone | 20 June 1970 | |
| Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons | William Whitelaw | 20 June 1970 | |
| Robert Carr | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Jim Prior | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords | George Jellicoe, 2nd Earl Jellicoe | 20 June 1970 | |
| David Hennessy, 3rd Baron Windlesham | 5 June 1973 | ||
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | Iain Macleod | 20 June 1970 | Died in office, 20 July 1970 |
| Anthony Barber | 25 July 1970 | ||
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury | Maurice Macmillan | 23 June 1970 | |
| Patrick Jenkin | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Tom Boardman | 8 January 1974 | ||
| Minister of State for Treasury | Terence Higgins | 23 June 1970 | |
| John Nott | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury | Francis Pym | 20 June 1970 | |
| Humphrey Atkins | 2 December 1973 | ||
| Financial Secretary to the Treasury | Patrick Jenkin | 23 June 1970 | |
| Terence Higgins | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Lords of the Treasury | Reginald Eyre | 24 June 1970 – 23 September 1970 | |
| David Howell | 24 June 1970 – 6 January 1971 | ||
| Hector Monro | 24 June 1970 – 28 July 1971 | ||
| Bernard Weatherill | 24 June 1970 – 17 October 1971 | ||
| Walter Clegg | 24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 | ||
| Victor Goodhew | 21 October 1970 – 9 October 1973 | ||
| Paul Hawkins | 5 January 1971 – 2 December 1973 | ||
| Tim Fortescue | 8 November 1971 – 7 April 1972 | ||
| Keith Speed | 8 November 1971 – 21 September 1973 | ||
| Hugh Rossi | 7 April 1972 – 8 January 1974 | ||
| Oscar Murton | 7 April 1972 – 30 October 1973 | ||
| Michael Jopling | 30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Hamish Gray | 30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| John Stradling Thomas | 30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Marcus Fox | 2 December 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Kenneth Clarke | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Foreign Secretary | Alec Douglas-Home | 20 June 1970 | |
| Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | Joseph Godber | 23 June 1970 – 5 November 1972 | |
| Richard Wood | 15 October 1970 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Priscilla Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Julian Amery | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Robert Lindsay, Baron Balniel | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | Peter Kerr, 12th Marquess of Lothian | 24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 | |
| Anthony Royle | 24 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 | ||
| Anthony Kershaw | 15 October 1970 – 5 June 1973 | ||
| Peter Blaker | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Minister for Overseas Development | Richard Wood | 15 October 1970 | |
| Home Secretary | Reginald Maudling | 20 June 1970 | |
| Robert Carr | 18 July 1972 | ||
| Minister of State for Home Affairs | Richard Sharples | 23 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 | |
| David Hennessy, 3rd Baron Windlesham | 23 June 1970 – 26 March 1972 | ||
| Mark Carlisle | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Mark Colville, 4th Viscount Colville of Culross | 21 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs | Mark Carlisle | 24 June 1970 | |
| David Lane | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Jim Prior | 20 June 1970 | |
| Joseph Godber | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Anthony Stodart | 7 April 1972 | New post |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Anthony Stodart | 24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 | |
| Peter Mills | 7 April 1972 – 5 November 1972 | ||
| Peggy Fenner | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Robert Washington Shirley, 13th Earl Ferrers | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Minister for Aviation Supply | Frederick Corfield | 15 October 1970 | New post. Abolished 1 May 1971 and functions transferred to Ministry of Defence |
| Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation Supply | David Price | 15 October 1970 | New post. Abolished 1 May 1971 and functions transferred to Ministry of Defence |
| Secretary of State for Defence | Peter Carrington, 6th Baron Carrington | 20 June 1970 | |
| Ian Gilmour | 8 January 1974 | ||
| Minister of State for Defence | Robert Lindsay, Baron Balniel | 23 June 1970 | |
| Ian Gilmour | 5 November 1972 | ||
| George Younger | 8 January 1974 | ||
| Minister of State for Defence Procurement | Ian Gilmour | 7 April 1971 | Office abolished 5 November 1972 |
| Under-Secretary of State for the Navy | Peter Kirk | 24 June 1970 | |
| Antony Buck | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State for the Air Force | Antony Lambton | 24 June 1970 | |
| Anthony Kershaw | 5 June 1973 | ||
| Euan Howard, 4th Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal | 8 January 1974 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State for the Army | Ian Gilmour | 24 June 1970 | |
| Geoffrey Johnson-Smith | 7 April 1971 | ||
| Peter Blaker | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Dudley Smith | 8 January 1974 | ||
| Secretary of State for Education and Science | Margaret Thatcher | 20 June 1970 | |
| Minister of State, Education and Science | Norman St John-Stevas | 5 June 1973 | Minister for the Arts |
| Under-Secretary of State, Education and Science | John Ganzoni, 2nd Baron Belstead | 24 June 1970 – 5 June 1973 | |
| William van Straubenzee | 24 June 1970 – 5 November 1972 | ||
| Norman St John-Stevas | 5 November 1972 – 2 December 1973 | ||
| Timothy Raison | 5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| John Edmondson, 2nd Baron Sandford | 2 December 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Secretary of State for Employment | Robert Carr | 20 June 1970 | Employment and Productivity until 12 November 1970 |
| Maurice Macmillan | 7 April 1972 | ||
| William Whitelaw | 2 December 1973 | ||
| Minister of State, Employment | Paul Bryan | 23 June 1970 | |
| Robin Chichester-Clark | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State, Employment | Dudley Smith | 24 June 1970 – 7 January 1974 | |
| David Howell | 5 January 1971 – 26 March 1972 | ||
| Nicholas Scott | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Secretary of State for Energy | Peter Carrington, 6th Baron Carrington | 8 January 1974 | |
| Minister for Energy | Patrick Jenkin | 8 January 1974 | In Cabinet |
| Minister of State, Energy | David Howell | 8 January 1974 | |
| Under-Secretary of State, Energy | Peter Emery | 8 January 1974 | |
| Secretary of State for the Environment | Peter Walker | 15 October 1970 | |
| Geoffrey Rippon | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Minister for Local Government and Development | Graham Page | 15 October 1970 | |
| Minister for Housing and Construction | Julian Amery | 15 October 1970 | |
| Paul Channon | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Minister for Transport Industries | John Peyton | 15 October 1970 | |
| Under-Secretary of State, Environment | Eldon Griffiths | 15 October 1970 – 4 March 1974 | |
| Paul Channon | 15 October 1970 – 26 March 1972 | ||
| John Cyril Edmondson, 2nd Baron Sandford | 15 October 1970 – 5 June 1973 | ||
| Michael Heseltine | 15 October 1970 – 7 April 1972 | ||
| Keith Speed | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Reginald Eyre | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Janet Young, Baroness Young | 5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Hugh Rossi | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Secretary of State for Social Services | Sir Keith Joseph | 20 June 1970 | |
| Minister of State, Health and Social Security | Morys Bruce, 4th Baron Aberdare | 23 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 | |
| Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Social Security | Paul Dean | 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 | |
| Michael Alison | 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government | Peter Walker | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Part of Environment from 15 October 1970 |
| Minister of State, Housing and Local Government | Graham Page | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Part of Environment from 15 October 1970 |
| Parliamentary Secretary, Housing and Local Government | Eldon Griffiths | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Part of Environment from Oct 1970 |
| Paul Channon | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | ||
| John Cyril Edmondson, 2nd Baron Sandford | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | ||
| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | Anthony Barber | 20 June 1970 | With special responsibility for Europe |
| Geoffrey Rippon | 28 July 1970 | ||
| John Davies | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | William Whitelaw | 24 March 1972 | |
| Francis Pym | 2 December 1973 | ||
| Minister of State, Northern Ireland | Paul Channon | 26 March 1972 – 5 November 1972 | |
| David Hennessy, 3rd Baron Windlesham | 26 March 1972 – 5 June 1973 | ||
| William van Straubenzee | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| David Howell | 5 November 1972 – 8 January 1974 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland | David Howell | 26 March 1972 – 5 November 1972 | |
| Peter Mills | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| The Lord Belstead | 5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Minister of Overseas Development | Richard Wood | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Reorganised under Foreign Office, 12 November 1970 |
| Paymaster General | David Eccles, 1st Viscount Eccles | 23 June 1970 | Minister for Arts. Not in Cabinet |
| Maurice Macmillan | 2 December 1973 | ||
| Minister without Portfolio | Niall Macpherson, 1st Baron Drumalbyn | 15 October 1970 | |
| Morys Bruce, 4th Baron Aberdare | 8 January 1974 | ||
| Minister for Posts and Telecommunications | Christopher Chataway | 24 June 1970 | |
| Sir John Eden | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Minister of Public Buildings and Works | Julian Amery | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Reorganised under Department of Environment 15 October 1970 |
| Parliamentary Secretary, Public Buildings and Works | Anthony Kershaw | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | |
| Secretary of State for Scotland | Gordon Campbell | 20 June 1970 | |
| Minister of State for Scotland | Priscilla Buchan, Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie | 23 June 1970 | |
| Henry Hepburne-Scott, 10th Lord Polwarth | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State for Scotland | Alick Buchanan-Smith | 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 | |
| George Younger | 24 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 | ||
| Teddy Taylor | 24 June 1970 – 28 July 1971 | ||
| Hector Monro | 28 July 1971 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Teddy Taylor | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Minister of Technology | Geoffrey Rippon | 20 June 1970 | |
| John Davies | 28 July 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970 | |
| Minister of State, Ministry of Technology | Sir John Eden | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970 |
| Frederick Ponsonby, 10th Earl of Bessborough | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | ||
| Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Technology | David Price | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970 |
| Nicholas Ridley | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | ||
| President of the Board of Trade | Michael Noble | 20 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970 |
| Minister of State, Board of Trade | Frederick Corfield | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970 |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade | Anthony Grant | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970 |
| Secretary of State for Trade and Industry | John Davies | 15 October 1970 | |
| Peter Walker | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Minister of State for Trade | Michael Noble | 15 October 1970 – 5 November 1972 | |
| Minister of State, Trade and Consumer Affairs | Sir Geoffrey Howe | 5 November 1972 | In Cabinet |
| Under-Secretary of State for Trade | Anthony Grant | 15 October 1970 | |
| Patrick Pery, 6th Earl of Limerick | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Minister of State for Industry | Sir John Eden | 15 October 1970 | |
| Tom Boardman | 7 April 1972 | Office eliminated 8 January 1974 | |
| Under-Secretary of State for Industry | Nicholas Ridley | 15 October 1970 | |
| Peter Emery | 7 April 1972 | Office eliminated 8 January 1974 | |
| Minister for Aerospace | Frederick Corfield | 1 May 1971 | |
| Michael Heseltine | 7 April 1972 | Consolidated with Shipping 5 November 1972 | |
| Under-Secretary of State for Aerospace | David Price | 1 May 1971 | |
| Cranley Onslow | 7 April 1972 | Consolidated with Shipping 5 November 1972 | |
| Minister for Industrial Development | Christopher Chataway | 7 April 1972 | |
| Under-Secretary of State for Industrial Development | Anthony Grant | 7 April 1972 | |
| Minister of Transport | John Peyton | 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | Transport merged with Environment Oct 1970 |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport | Michael Heseltine | 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970 | |
| Secretary of State for Wales | Peter Thomas | 20 June 1970 | |
| Minister of State for Wales | David Gibson-Watt | 23 June 1970 | |
| Attorney General | Sir Peter Rawlinson | 23 June 1970 | |
| Solicitor General | Sir Geoffrey Howe | 23 June 1970 | |
| Sir Michael Havers | 5 November 1972 | ||
| Lord Advocate | Norman Wylie | 23 June 1970 | |
| Solicitor General for Scotland | David William Robert Brand | 23 June 1970 | |
| William Stewart | 5 November 1972 | Not an MP | |
| Treasurer of the Household | Humphrey Atkins | 24 June 1970 | |
| Bernard Weatherill | 2 December 1973 | ||
| Comptroller of the Household | Walter Elliott | 24 June 1970 | |
| Reginald Eyre | 24 September 1970 | ||
| Bernard Weatherill | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Walter Clegg | 2 December 1973 | ||
| Vice-Chamberlain of the Household | Jasper More | 24 June 1970 | |
| Bernard Weatherill | 17 October 1971 | ||
| Walter Clegg | 7 April 1972 | ||
| Paul Hawkins | 2 December 1973 | ||
| Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms | Michael Hicks Beach, 2nd Earl St Aldwyn | 24 June 1970 | |
| Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard | John Goschen, 3rd Viscount Goschen | 24 June 1970 | |
| Bertram Bowyer, 2nd Baron Denham | 20 November 1971 | ||
| Lords in Waiting | Charles Stourton, 26th Baron Mowbray | 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 | |
| Bertram Bowyer, 2nd Baron Denham | 24 June 1970 – 20 November 1971 | ||
| Nicholas Bethell, 4th Baron Bethell | 24 June 1970 – 5 January 1971 | ||
| Robert Shirley, 13th Earl Ferrers | 5 January 1971 – 8 January 1974 | ||
| Peter Kerr, 12th Marquess of Lothian | 7 April 1972 – 27 July 1973 | ||
| Grey Gowrie, 2nd Earl of Gowrie | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Janet Young, Baroness Young | 21 April 1972 – 5 June 1973 | ||
| Euan Howard, 4th Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal | 27 June 1973 – 8 January 1974 | ||
| Richard Hill, 7th Baron Sandys | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Richard Wellesley, 6th Earl Cowley | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| Shane Alexander, 2nd Earl Alexander of Tunis | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 |
References
Further reading
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