Heath ministry

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

Cabinet of United Kingdom
1970–1974
Heath in 1969
Date formed19 June 1970 (1970-06-19)
Date dissolved4 March 1974 (1974-03-04)
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterEdward Heath
Deputy Prime Minister[note 1]
Total no. of members211 appointments
Member party  Conservative Party
Status in legislature
  • 330 / 630(52%)
    (1970–1974)
  • 297 / 635(47%)
    (April 1974)
Opposition cabinetWilson Shadow Cabinet
Opposition party  Labour Party
Opposition leaderHarold Wilson
History
Election(s)1970 general election
Outgoing election1974 general election
Legislature term(s)45th UK Parliament
PredecessorSecond Wilson ministry
SuccessorThird 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

June 1970 – March 1974

The cabinet appointed in June 1970 comprised the following:[4]

Changes

List of ministers

Cabinet members are in bold face.

OfficeNameDatesNotes
Prime Minister,
First Lord of the Treasury
and Minister for the Civil Service
Edward Heath19 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Parliamentary Secretary for the Civil Service DepartmentDavid Howell23 June 1970 – 26 March 1972 
Kenneth Baker7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Geoffrey Johnson-Smith5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Lord High Chancellor of Great BritainThe Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone20 June 1970 
Lord President of the Council
and Leader of the House of Commons
William Whitelaw20 June 1970 
Robert Carr7 April 1972 
Jim Prior5 November 1972 
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
and Leader of the House of Lords
The Earl Jellicoe20 June 1970
The Lord Windlesham5 June 1973 
Chancellor of the ExchequerIain Macleod20 June 1970Died in office, 20 July 1970
Anthony Barber25 July 1970 
Chief Secretary to the TreasuryMaurice Macmillan23 June 1970 
Patrick Jenkin7 April 1972 
Tom Boardman8 January 1974 
Minister of State for TreasuryTerence Higgins23 June 1970 
John Nott7 April 1972 
Parliamentary Secretary to the TreasuryFrancis Pym20 June 1970 
Humphrey Atkins2 December 1973 
Financial Secretary to the TreasuryPatrick Jenkin23 June 1970 
Terence Higgins7 April 1972 
Lords of the TreasuryReginald Eyre24 June 1970 – 23 September 1970 
David Howell24 June 1970 – 6 January 1971 
Hector Monro24 June 1970 – 28 July 1971 
Bernard Weatherill24 June 1970 – 17 October 1971 
Walter Clegg24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Victor Goodhew21 October 1970 – 9 October 1973 
Paul Hawkins5 January 1971 – 2 December 1973 
Tim Fortescue8 November 1971 – 7 April 1972 
Keith Speed8 November 1971 – 21 September 1973 
Hugh Rossi7 April 1972 – 8 January 1974 
Oscar Murton7 April 1972 – 30 October 1973 
Michael Jopling30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Hamish Gray30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 
John Stradling Thomas30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Marcus Fox2 December 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Kenneth Clarke8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Foreign SecretarySir Alec Douglas-Home20 June 1970 
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsJoseph Godber23 June 1970 – 5 November 1972 
Richard Wood15 October 1970 – 4 March 1974 
The Lady Tweedsmuir7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Julian Amery5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Lord Balniel5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsThe Marquess of Lothian24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Anthony Royle24 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 
Anthony Kershaw15 October 1970 – 5 June 1973 
Peter Blaker8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Minister for Overseas DevelopmentRichard Wood15 October 1970 
Home SecretaryReginald Maudling20 June 1970 
Robert Carr18 July 1972 
Minister of State for Home AffairsRichard Sharples23 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
The Lord Windlesham23 June 1970 – 26 March 1972 
Mark Carlisle7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Viscount Colville of Culross21 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Under-Secretary of State for Home AffairsMark Carlisle24 June 1970 
David Lane7 April 1972 
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodJim Prior20 June 1970 
Joseph Godber5 November 1972 
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodAnthony Stodart7 April 1972New post
Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodAnthony Stodart24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Peter Mills7 April 1972 – 5 November 1972 
Peggy Fenner5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Earl Ferrers8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Minister for Aviation SupplyFrederick Corfield15 October 1970New post. Abolished 1 May 1971 and functions transferred to Ministry of Defence
Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation SupplyDavid Price15 October 1970New post. Abolished 1 May 1971 and functions transferred to Ministry of Defence
Secretary of State for DefenceThe Lord Carrington20 June 1970 
Ian Gilmour8 January 1974 
Minister of State for DefenceLord Balniel23 June 1970 
Ian Gilmour5 November 1972 
George Younger8 January 1974 
Minister of State for Defence ProcurementIan Gilmour7 April 1971Office abolished 5 November 1972
Under-Secretary of State for the NavyPeter Kirk24 June 1970 
Antony Buck5 November 1972 
Under-Secretary of State for the Air ForceAntony Lambton24 June 1970 
Anthony Kershaw5 June 1973 
The Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal8 January 1974 
Under-Secretary of State for the ArmyIan Gilmour24 June 1970 
Geoffrey Johnson-Smith7 April 1971 
Peter Blaker5 November 1972 
Dudley Smith8 January 1974 
Secretary of State for Education and ScienceMargaret Thatcher20 June 1970 
Minister of State, Education and ScienceNorman St John-Stevas5 June 1973Minister for the Arts
Under-Secretary of State, Education and ScienceThe Lord Belstead24 June 1970 – 5 June 1973 
William van Straubenzee24 June 1970 – 5 November 1972 
Norman St John-Stevas5 November 1972 – 2 December 1973 
Timothy Raison5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 
The Lord Sandford2 December 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for EmploymentRobert Carr20 June 1970Employment and Productivity until 12 November 1970
Maurice Macmillan7 April 1972 
William Whitelaw2 December 1973 
Minister of State, EmploymentPaul Bryan23 June 1970 
Robin Chichester-Clark7 April 1972 
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentDudley Smith24 June 1970 – 7 January 1974 
David Howell5 January 1971 – 26 March 1972 
Nicholas Scott8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for EnergyThe Lord Carrington8 January 1974 
Minister for EnergyPatrick Jenkin8 January 1974In Cabinet
Minister of State, EnergyDavid Howell8 January 1974 
Under-Secretary of State, EnergyPeter Emery8 January 1974 
Secretary of State for the EnvironmentPeter Walker15 October 1970 
Geoffrey Rippon5 November 1972 
Minister for Local Government and DevelopmentGraham Page15 October 1970 
Minister for Housing and ConstructionJulian Amery15 October 1970 
Paul Channon5 November 1972 
Minister for Transport IndustriesJohn Peyton15 October 1970 
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentEldon Griffiths15 October 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Paul Channon15 October 1970 – 26 March 1972 
The Lord Sandford15 October 1970 – 5 June 1973 
Michael Heseltine15 October 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Keith Speed7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Reginald Eyre7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Lady Young5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Hugh Rossi8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for Social ServicesSir Keith Joseph20 June 1970 
Minister of State, Health and Social SecurityThe Lord Aberdare23 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 
Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Social SecurityPaul Dean24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Michael Alison24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for Housing and Local GovernmentPeter Walker24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Part of Environment from 15 October 1970
Minister of State, Housing and Local GovernmentGraham Page23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Part of Environment from 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary, Housing and Local GovernmentEldon Griffiths23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Part of Environment from Oct 1970
Paul Channon23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
The Lord Sandford23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterAnthony Barber20 June 1970With special responsibility for Europe
Geoffrey Rippon28 July 1970 
John Davies5 November 1972 
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandWilliam Whitelaw24 March 1972 
Francis Pym2 December 1973 
Minister of State, Northern IrelandPaul Channon26 March 1972 – 5 November 1972 
The Lord Windlesham26 March 1972 – 5 June 1973 
William van Straubenzee5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
David Howell5 November 1972 – 8 January 1974 
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandDavid Howell26 March 1972 – 5 November 1972 
Peter Mills5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Lord Belstead5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Minister of Overseas DevelopmentRichard Wood23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Reorganised under Foreign Office, 12 November 1970
Paymaster GeneralThe Viscount Eccles23 June 1970Minister for Arts. Not in Cabinet
Maurice Macmillan2 December 1973 
Minister without PortfolioThe Lord Drumalbyn15 October 1970 
The Lord Aberdare8 January 1974 
Minister for Posts and TelecommunicationsChristopher Chataway24 June 1970 
Sir John Eden7 April 1972 
Minister of Public Buildings and WorksJulian Amery23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Reorganised under Department of Environment 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary, Public Buildings and WorksAnthony Kershaw24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Secretary of State for ScotlandGordon Campbell20 June 1970 
Minister of State for ScotlandThe Lady Tweedsmuir23 June 1970 
The Lord Polwarth7 April 1972 
Under-Secretary of State for ScotlandAlick Buchanan-Smith24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
George Younger24 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 
Teddy Taylor24 June 1970 – 28 July 1971 
Hector Monro28 July 1971 – 4 March 1974 
Teddy Taylor8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Minister of TechnologyGeoffrey Rippon20 June 1970 
John Davies28 July 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Minister of State, Ministry of TechnologySir John Eden23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
The Earl of Bessborough24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of TechnologyDavid Price24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Nicholas Ridley24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
President of the Board of TradeMichael Noble20 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Minister of State, Board of TradeFrederick Corfield24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of TradeAnthony Grant24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryJohn Davies15 October 1970 
Peter Walker5 November 1972 
Minister of State for TradeMichael Noble15 October 1970 – 5 November 1972 
Minister of State, Trade and Consumer AffairsSir Geoffrey Howe5 November 1972In Cabinet
Under-Secretary of State for TradeAnthony Grant15 October 1970 
The Earl of Limerick7 April 1972 
Minister of State for IndustrySir John Eden15 October 1970 
Tom Boardman7 April 1972Office eliminated 8 January 1974
Under-Secretary of State for IndustryNicholas Ridley15 October 1970 
Peter Emery7 April 1972Office eliminated 8 January 1974
Minister for AerospaceFrederick Corfield1 May 1971 
Michael Heseltine7 April 1972Consolidated with Shipping 5 November 1972
Under-Secretary of State for AerospaceDavid Price1 May 1971 
Cranley Onslow7 April 1972Consolidated with Shipping 5 November 1972
Minister for Industrial DevelopmentChristopher Chataway7 April 1972 
Under-Secretary of State for Industrial DevelopmentAnthony Grant7 April 1972 
Minister of TransportJohn Peyton23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Transport merged with Environment Oct 1970
Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of TransportMichael Heseltine24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Secretary of State for WalesPeter Thomas20 June 1970 
Minister of State for WalesDavid Gibson-Watt23 June 1970 
Attorney GeneralSir Peter Rawlinson23 June 1970 
Solicitor GeneralSir Geoffrey Howe23 June 1970 
Sir Michael Havers5 November 1972 
Lord AdvocateNorman Wylie23 June 1970 
Solicitor General for ScotlandDavid William Robert Brand23 June 1970 
William Stewart5 November 1972Not an MP
Treasurer of the HouseholdHumphrey Atkins24 June 1970 
Bernard Weatherill2 December 1973 
Comptroller of the HouseholdWalter Elliott24 June 1970 
Reginald Eyre24 September 1970 
Bernard Weatherill7 April 1972 
Walter Clegg2 December 1973 
Vice-Chamberlain of the HouseholdJasper More24 June 1970 
Bernard Weatherill17 October 1971 
Walter Clegg7 April 1972 
Paul Hawkins2 December 1973 
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-ArmsThe Earl St Aldwyn24 June 1970 
Captain of the Yeomen of the GuardThe Viscount Goschen24 June 1970 
The Lord Denham20 November 1971 
Lords in WaitingThe Lord Mowbray24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
The Lord Denham24 June 1970 – 20 November 1971 
The Lord Bethell24 June 1970 – 5 January 1971 
The Earl Ferrers5 January 1971 – 8 January 1974 
The Marquess of Lothian7 April 1972 – 27 July 1973 
The Earl of Gowrie7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Baroness Young21 April 1972 – 5 June 1973 
The Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal27 June 1973 – 8 January 1974 
The Lord Sandys8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
The Earl Cowley8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
The Earl Alexander of Tunis8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 

References

Notes
Sources
  1. "BBC ON THIS DAY | 19 | 1970: Shock election win for Heath". BBC News. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  2. "UK | UK Politics | The Basics | past_elections | 1974 Feb: Hung parliament looms". BBC News. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  3. "UK | UK Politics | The Basics | past_elections | 1974 Oct: Wilson makes it four". BBC News. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  4. "Edward Heath 1970". The Cabinet Papers. The National Archives. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
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