biography
| name: |
Heseltine, Michael (Ray Dibdin), Lord
|
pronunciation:
[heseltiyn]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1933– )
|
| biography:
| British statesman, born in Swansea, SC Wales, UK. He studied at Oxford, and built up a publishing business before becoming an MP in 1966. After holding junior posts in transport (1970), environment (1970–2), and aerospace and shipping (1972–4), he was appointed secretary of state for the environment (1979–83), then defence secretary (1983–6). He resigned from the government in dramatic fashion by walking out of a cabinet meeting over the issue of the takeover of Westland helicopters. He stood unsuccessfully as a candidate in the leadership contest following Mrs Thatcher's resignation (1990). His posts under John Major included environment secretary (1990–2), President of the Board of Trade (1992–5), and first secretary and deputy prime minister (1995–7). He was made a Companion of Honour in 1997, and received a peerage in 2001. |
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