NEWS: Former British Prime Minister, Ted Heath, Dies At 89, page 1

Former British Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, died at 89 years old. Heath was Prime Minister for 4 years, from 1970-1974. He was leader of the British Conservative Party from 1965, until 1975. His largest accomplishment, as PM, was to gain Britain's addmitance into the European Community.

www.cnn.com
A carpenter's son who broke the tradition of blue bloods leading the British Conservative Party, he was a born politician, and an accomplished yachtsman and musician.

The major achievement of his four years as prime minister was to negotiate Britain's 1973 entry into the European Community, overturning years of resistance to British membership both domestically and by France, which had vetoed Britain's entry in 1967.

At home, unrest over pay grew. In 1974, with Britain reduced to a three-day week by striking coal miners, Heath called an election demanding "who governs?" in a challenge to the unions. He lost to Harold Wilson's Labor Party and lost again when Wilson called an election in October that year.

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For only being in office 4 years, he seems to have accomplished a decent amount. His downfall was obviously in the economic area, so hopefully the leaders of today will learn from his (and other's) mistakes.

Sorry to see him go.

[edit on 17-7-2005 by JBurns]

[edit on 18-7-2005 by John bull 1]

[edit on 18-7-2005 by John bull 1]