Second Shadow Cabinet of Edward Heath

Edward Heath, Leader of the Opposition 1974-1975

The Second Shadow Cabinet of Edward Heath was created after the Conservative Party lost the February 1974 general election. It was led by the Leader of the Conservative Party Edward Heath and featured prominent Conservative politicians both past and future. Included was Heath’s successor Margaret Thatcher, the future Home Secretary William Whitelaw, and two future Foreign Secretaries, Lord Carrington and Francis Pym. For the first time in history, a leadership election was held in 1975 for the Conservative Party whist the position was not vacant. Margaret Thatcher challenged Heath, with whom the majority of the party was dissatisfied because of repeated losses at elections. She won, becoming the first female leader of a major political party in Britain.

Shadow cabinet list

Portfolio Shadow Minister Term
Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition
Leader of the Conservative Party		 The Rt Hon. Edward Heath 1974–75
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer The Rt Hon. Robert Carr 1974–75
Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs The Rt Hon. Geoffrey Rippon 1974–75
Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department The Rt Hon. James Prior 1974
The Rt Hon. Keith Joseph 1974–75
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence The Rt Hon. Ian Gilmour 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Science The Rt Hon. Norman St John-Stevas 1974–75
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons The Rt Hon. James Prior 1974
The Rt Hon. John Peyton 1974–75
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment The Rt Hon. Margaret Thatcher[1] 1974–75
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland The Rt Hon. Francis Pym 1974
The Rt Hon. Ian Gilmour 1974–75
Opposition Chief Whip The Rt Hon. Humphrey Atkins 1974–75
Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords The Rt Hon. The Lord Carrington PC 1974–75

References

  1. ↑ McMahon Flatt, Joan (2012). Powerful Political Women: Stirring Biographies of Some of History's Most Powerful Women. iUniverse. p. 201. ISBN 9781462068197.

Further reading

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