Here is the biography of Edward Heath:
Edward Heath was born in 1916 in Broadstairs, Kent, to a modest family. His father was a carpenter and his mother was a maid. Heath attended Balliol College at Oxford, where he earned a second-class degree in philosophy, politics, and economics. He became active in Conservative Party politics while at Oxford, opposing Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's policy of appeasement.
He served in the Royal Artillery during World War II and later entered the Civil Service in the Ministry of Aviation. Heath was elected Conservative MP for Bexley in 1950, a seat he would hold for over 50 years. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming Chief Whip in 1955 and Minister of Labour in 1959.
Heath was appointed leader of the Conservative Party in 1965, becoming the first commoner to lead the party. He won the 1970 General Election on the 'Selsdon Platform', promising more aggressive pro-growth economic policies.
As Prime Minister, Heath's main accomplishment was admitting Britain to the European Community in 1973. However, his tenure was marked by controversy, including the Industrial Relations Act, which failed to curb trade union abuses, and the violence in Northern Ireland.
Heath's government was also weakened by a miner's strike in 1972 and the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973. He called an election in 1974, but lost his majority in Parliament. He was forced to hand over power to Harold Wilson and was eventually defeated by Margaret Thatcher in the party leadership election in 1975.
Heath refused to serve in the Shadow Cabinet and remained a backbench MP until his retirement in 2001. He was a lifelong bachelor and had a passion for sailing and music. Heath died in 2005 at the age of 89.
