Denis Healey (Election '78)

lt hlDenis Healey is a British Labour politician, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1981 - 1989).

Healey's tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer was the longest continous tenure since Nicholas Vansittart nearly two centuries before, during one of the most turbulant periods in British political and economic history. In 1981 Callaghan retired from the premiership and Healey won the leadership contest to be his successor.

Trade Union reform was the dominant issue during Healey's first year in office.

He resigned in 1989, stressing the need for new leadership.

1982 general election
With a growing economy, a popular new leader, and a victory in the falklands Labour was far ahead in the polls in the autumn of 1982. Healey decided to go to the country, holding the poll on October 14th. The campaign was relatively short, and labour was confident of being returned, but the scale of of Labour's election victory had not been predicted by many.

Second Term 1982 - 1987
Healey's second term in office was characterised as an era of high investment in public services.

Later Life
Healey stepped down from the house of commons at the 1991 election.

November 1981 - November 1982
Prime Minister - Denis Healey

Deputy Prime Minister - Michael Foot

Chancellor of the Exchequer - Eric Varley

Foreign Secretary - David Owen

Home Secretary - Roy Hattersley

Secretary of State for Defence - Bill Rodgers

Secretary of State for Education and Science -

Secretary of State for Employment -

Secretary of State for Energy -

Secretary of State for the Environment -

November 1982 - October 1983
Prime Minister - Denis Healey

Chancellor of the Exchequer - Eric Varley

Foreign Secretary - David Owen

Home Secretary - Roy Hattersley

October 1987 - March 1989
Prime Minister - Denis Healey

Deputy Prime Minister - Roy Hattersley

Chancellor of the Exchequer - John Smith

Foreign Secretary - David Owen

Home Secretary - Shirley Williams

Defence Secretary -

Chief Secretary to the Treasury - Gordon Brown