Edward Heath
/ˌedwəd ˈhiːθ/
/ˌedwərd ˈhiːθ/
- (1916-2005) a British conservative politician who became leader of the Conservative Party in 1965 and later Prime Minister (1970-4). He is mainly remembered for taking Britain into the European Union in 1973. Faced with economic problems and strikes, he called a general election in 1974, which the Conservatives lost. In 1975 he was replaced as party leader by Margaret Thatcher. He remained a firm supporter of the European Union. He was made a knight in 1992.