Heath, Sir Edward Richard George, also called Ted Heath 1916-
English Conservative politician

Born in Broadstairs, Kent, he was a scholar of Balliol College, Oxford. After service in World War II he entered parliament in 1950, one of R A Butler's 'One Nation' new Tory intellectuals. He became Chief Whip (1955-59), then Minister of Labour (1959-60). He was the chief negotiator for Great Britain's entry into the European Common Market, and although the French attitude prevented the UK from joining, he was awarded the German Charlemagne prize (1963). In the Douglas-Home administration (1963) he became Secretary of State for Industry and President of the Board of Trade (1963). Elected Leader of the Conservative Party in July 1965, he was Opposition leader until, on the Conservative victory in the 1970 general election, he became Prime Minister. After a long confrontation with the miners' union in 1973 the Conservatives narrowly lost the general election of February 1974, the loss being confirmed by another election in October 1974. In 1975 he was replaced as leader by Margaret Thatcher. From 1979 he became an increasingly outspoken critic of what he regarded as the extreme policies of 'Thatcherism'. He has resisted attempts to move him to the Lords, and retained his seat (Old Bexley and Sidcup) in the 1997 general election. His international credibility was evident from his meetings with Saddam Hussein before and after the 1991 Gulf War, which were instrumental in securing the release of British hostages and prisoners. He is an expert yachtsman, and, after winning the 1969 Hobart Ocean race, captained the British crew for the Admiral's Cup races of 1971 and 1979. He is also an accomplished musician.

Bibliography: Margaret Laing, Edward Heath: Prime Minister (1973)