Edward Heath Attacks Margaret Thatcher and Tory Right Over Europe in Uncut Interview (2001)

On 26 March 2001, former prime minister Sir Edward Heath was interviewed by ITN's Nicholas Owen. Heath was marking 51 years as a Member of Parliament, and chose the occasion to reflect on his decades-long career on the frontline of British politics. In a lengthy and revealing conversation, Heath discussed the beginning of his career as a Conservative Party whip under the leadership of Winston Churchill, his years as prime minister during which he led the UK into the European Economic Community (EEC), his opposition to Margaret Thatcher and the right wing of the Tory Party, his view of Tony Blair, and why he believed the quality of debate in the House of Commons had changed for the worse. Heath made a particular point of defending Britain's place in the European Union and criticising those in his party who were pushing for Britain to leave it. And he warned against attempts by his own party to find supporters by moving further and further to the right.

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