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Heath's most lasting achievement was to lead the UK into the [[EEC]] (later the [[EU]]) in 1973. His tenure, however, was blighted by industrial unrest, including a devastating miners' strike. This resulted in the famous 'three-day-week', in which commercial consumption of electricity was limited to three days per week, with the exception of essential services.

Heath's most lasting achievement was to lead the UK into the [[EEC]] (later the [[EU]]) in 1973. His tenure, however, was blighted by industrial unrest, including a devastating miners' strike. This resulted in the famous 'three-day-week', in which commercial consumption of electricity was limited to three days per week, with the exception of essential services.

In early 1974, Health called an election on the slogan "Who rules Britain?", the subtext being "Who rules Britain: the elected government or the miners' unions?". This election, held in February, produced a "hung Parliament", in which no single party held a majority. Minor parties such as the [[Ulster Unionist Party]] and the [[Liberals (UK party)|Liberal Party]] refused to form a coalition with the Conservatives, and Heath accordingly resigned. Labour's [[Harold Wilson]] returned as Prime Minister, and won a small overall majority in a further election in October 1974.

In early 1974, Health called an election on the slogan "Who rules Britain?", the subtext being "Who rules Britain: the elected government or the miners' unions?". This election, held in February, produced a "hung Parliament", in which no single party held a majority. Minor parties such as the [[Ulster Unionist Party]] and the [[Liberals (UK party)|Liberal Party]] refused to form a coalition with the Conservatives, and Heath accordingly resigned. Labour's [[Harold Wilson]] returned as Prime Minister, and won a small overall majority of three seats in a further election in October 1974.

Heath was challenged for the Conservative leadership by [[Margaret Thatcher]] in 1975. To the surprise of many, Thatcher emerged victorious from the leadership contest, and Heath remained on bad personal and political terms with Thatcher for many years afterwards. When she was forced to resign as Prime Minister in 1990, Heath called his office and, using a phrase made famous by Thatcher in the [[Falklands War]], said: "Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!".

Heath was challenged for the Conservative leadership by [[Margaret Thatcher]] in 1975. To the surprise of many, Thatcher emerged victorious from the leadership contest, and Heath remained on bad personal and political terms with Thatcher for many years afterwards. When she was forced to resign as Prime Minister in 1990, Heath called his office and, using a phrase made famous by Thatcher in the [[Falklands War]], said: "Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!".

Heath remained an MP until 2001, and was generally perceived as being firmly on the left of the Conservative Party. (The maverick Labour politician [[Tony Benn]] claims that Heath once told him that he, Heath, was politically to the left of Labour's [[Tony Blair]].) He died in 2005.

Heath remained an MP until 2001, and was generally perceived as being firmly on the left of the Conservative Party. (The maverick Labour politician [[Tony Benn]] claims that Heath once told him that he, Heath, was politically to the left of Labour's [[Tony Blair]].) He died in 2005.

[[Category:UK Prime Ministers|Heath, Edward]]

[[Category:UK Prime Ministers|Heath, Edward]]