Second Heath Shadow Cabinet | |
|---|---|
 Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
| 1974 – 1975 | |
.JPG) | |
| Date formed | 4 March 1974 |
| Date dissolved | 11 February 1975 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Leader of the Opposition | Edward Heath |
| Member party | |
| Status in legislature | Official Opposition 297 / 635 (47%) (February 1974) 277 / 635 (44%) (October 1974) |
| History | |
| Election | February 1974 United Kingdom general election |
| Legislature terms | 46th UK Parliament 47th UK Parliament |
| Predecessor | Second Shadow Cabinet of Harold Wilson |
| Successor | Shadow Cabinet of Margaret Thatcher |
The Second Shadow Cabinet of Edward Heath was created after the Conservative Party lost the February 1974 general election. It was led by the Leader of the Conservative Party Edward Heath and featured prominent Conservative politicians both past and future. Included was Heath's successor Margaret Thatcher, the future Home Secretary William Whitelaw, and two future Foreign Secretaries, Lord Carrington and Francis Pym. For the first time in history, a leadership election was held in 1975 for the Conservative Party whilst the position was not vacant. Margaret Thatcher challenged Heath, with whom the majority of the party was dissatisfied because of repeated losses at elections. She won, becoming the first female leader of a major political party in Britain.