Heath administration
| Heath ministry | |
|---|---|
| 1970–1974 | |
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|
| Date formed | 19 June 1970 |
| Date dissolved | 4 March 1974 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Elizabeth II |
| Head of government | Edward Heath |
| Deputy head of government | |
| Total no. of ministers | 211 appointments |
| Member party | Conservative Party |
| Status in legislature | Majority |
| Opposition cabinet | Second Wilson Shadow Cabinet |
| Opposition party | Labour Party |
| Opposition leader | Harold Wilson |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 1970 general election |
| Outgoing election | 1974 general election |
| Legislature term(s) | 45th UK Parliament |
| Predecessor | Second Wilson ministry |
| Successor | Third Wilson 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 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 being growth and contraction, with unemployment rising 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.
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 (the Common Market). 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.
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