Denis Healey (The Found Order)

Denis Healey is a former British politician who served as Prime Minister (1983 - 1990).

Healey was first elected as an MP at the 1945 election, and entered cabinet in 1959. Healey was one of only a few labour heaveyweights to serve throughout the 1959 - 1975 labour government, holding the Aviation (1959 - 1962), Defence (1964 - 1970) and Treasury (1970 - 1973) portfolios.

Healey ran in the 1973 labour leadership election, and came a close third. He was sacked by Roy Jenkins shortly after he came to office, a contraversial move at the time and for no apparent reason.

When Labour entered opposition he threw his support wholeheartedly behing James Callaghan, and became a loyal supporter thoughout his leadership of the labour party.

After the 1979 general election he moved from shadow chancellor to shadow foreign secretary, and he served as foreign secretary during the Callaghan government.

In 1983 Callaghan retired from the party leadership, Healey was elected as his successor as labour leader and Prime Minister.

Early Political Career
Healey was elected MP for Pudsey and Otley at the 1945 election.

In 1950 he lost his seat, narrowly, at the general election, and spent two years outside parliament before returning at a by election as MP for Leeds South East.

He became an early supporter of Hugh Gaitskell, and one of the most ardent Gaitskellites. When Gaitskell led labour to victory in 1959, Healey was appointed Aviation Minister.

Chancellor of the Exchequer 1970 - 1973
Healey had been promised a senior cabinet post by Wilson after the 1970 election, and had expected (and hoped for) the foreign office. Much to Healey's surprise he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, and ineffect Wilson's number three (after Barbara Castle) in cabinet.

Foreign Secretary 1982 - 1983
Denis was appointed Foreign Secretary, and de facto Deputy Prime Minister by Callaghan. Healey would later describe in his memoirs that his brief period at the Foreign Office was his personal highlight of his political career.

Prime Minister 1983 - 1990
Healey led labour into the 1987 election, Labour was returned to office but with a reduced majority.

Unlike Jenkins, Healey was not a die hard pro-european. Although he supported British membership of the EU.

After 1988 his position as leader weakened, with figures such as David Owen and Neil Kinnock manouvering for the Labour leadership. It was not until the labour conference in October 1988 that he hinted he would retire before the next general election, and in January 1990 practically confirmed this in an interview with Brian Walden.

On September 5th Healey officially announced he would resign the Labour leadership as soon as a successor was elected. In the subesquent election he voted for Hattersley in the first two ballots, and Smith in the final three.

First Healey Ministry 1983 - 1987
Prime Minister - Denis Healey

Chancellor of the Exchequer - Roy Hattersley

Foreign Secretary - David Owen

Home Secretary - Shirley Williams

Defence Secretary - Neil Kinnock

Trade and Industry Secretary - John Smith

Second Healey Ministry 1987 - 1990
Prime Minister - Denis Healey

Chancellor of the Exchequer - John Smith

Foreign Secretary - David Owen

Home Secretary - Roy Hattersley

Defence Secretary - Neil Kinnock

Post Premiership
Healey remained a backbench MP before stepping down at the 1991 general election. Shortly afterwards he was introduced to the house of lords. He became an adviser to John Smith, and was one of those who advised him to call an early election in 1991. Healey's relationship with Neil Kinnock was noted by one biographer as being "Civil, but without much warmth", despite that he campaign vigourously for labour in the 1996 general election.

He strongly critisised Michael Portillo's conservative government, describing the decision to privatise the BBC as "a national insult to liscence fee payers". In 2006 he advocated Britain retireing its nuclear weapons, stating that "there is no longer a real case for them".