| Incumbent: | 1970–1974 |
| Government Head Title: | Prime Minister |
| Government Head: | Edward Heath |
| State Head Title: | Monarch |
| State Head: | Elizabeth II |
| Total Number: | 211 appointments |
| Political Party: | Conservative Party |
| Opposition Cabinet: | Wilson Shadow Cabinet |
| Opposition Party: | Labour Party |
| Opposition Leader: | Harold Wilson |
| Election: | 1970 general election |
| Last Election: | 1974 general election |
| Legislature Term: | 45th UK Parliament |
| Previous: | Second Wilson ministry |
| Successor: | Third Wilson ministry |
| Jurisdiction: | United Kingdom |
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 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]
The cabinet appointed in June 1970 comprised the following:[4]
Edward Heath
The Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone
Margaret Thatcher
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 | The Lord 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 | The Earl Jellicoe | 20 June 1970 | ||
| The Lord 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 | Sir 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 | |||
| The Lady Tweedsmuir | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | |||
| Julian Amery | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | |||
| Lord Balniel | 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | The 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 | ||
| The Lord Windlesham | 23 June 1970 – 26 March 1972 | |||
| Mark Carlisle | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | |||
| The 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 | |||
| The 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 | The Lord Carrington | 20 June 1970 | ||
| Ian Gilmour | 8 January 1974 | |||
| Minister of State for Defence | Lord 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 | |||
| The Lord 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 | The Lord 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 | |||
| The Lord 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 | The Lord 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 | |||
| The Lord 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 | |||
| Lady 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 | The Lord 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 | |||
| The Lord 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 | ||
| The Lord 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 | The Viscount Eccles | 23 June 1970 | Minister for Arts. Not in Cabinet | |
| Maurice Macmillan | 2 December 1973 | |||
| Minister without Portfolio | The Lord Drumalbyn | 15 October 1970 | ||
| The Lord 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 | The Lady Tweedsmuir | 23 June 1970 | ||
| The 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 | |
| The 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 | |||
| rowspan= | 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 | ||
| The 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 | The Earl St Aldwyn | 24 June 1970 | ||
| Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard | The Viscount Goschen | 24 June 1970 | ||
| The Lord Denham | 20 November 1971 | |||
| Lords in Waiting | The Lord Mowbray | 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 | ||
| The Lord Denham | 24 June 1970 – 20 November 1971 | |||
| The Lord Bethell | 24 June 1970 – 5 January 1971 | |||
| The Earl Ferrers | 5 January 1971 – 8 January 1974 | |||
| The Marquess of Lothian | 7 April 1972 – 27 July 1973 | |||
| The Earl of Gowrie | 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 | |||
| The Baroness Young | 21 April 1972 – 5 June 1973 | |||
| The Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal | 27 June 1973 – 8 January 1974 | |||
| The Lord Sandys | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | |||
| The Earl Cowley | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 | |||
| The Earl Alexander of Tunis | 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 |