Heath survives?

I'm currently writing a timeline on British politics, with a point of divergence around the early/mid 1970s. Is there any way that Edward Heath can survive as Tory leader after the second 1974 General Election, and go on to fight the election in 1979?
 
Maybe Joseph doesn't make that speech about single mothers and challenges Heath, who defeats him? In this scenario Thatcher would have been a leading member of the putsch so she gets frozen out and when Heath finally does go she's not seen as a serious contender?

Consider me subscribed to your TL as well!
 
I'm currently writing a timeline on British politics, with a point of divergence around the early/mid 1970s. Is there any way that Edward Heath can survive as Tory leader after the second 1974 General Election, and go on to fight the election in 1979?

Pretty much no. The Tories weren't going to stick with a loser, either Thatcher or someone else was going to replace him. However if you want the same One Nation, Butskillite policies as Heath I would recommend you get Whitelaw to be the replacement.
 
Have Edward du Cann's business last a little longer than otl, maintains his position as the right wing challenger, then let it collapse during the leadership election. Heath wins.
 
So we'll assume those who helped propel Margaret Thatcher to power (Airey Neave, Edward du Cann, Keith Joseph) would be influential in any ATL attempt at a leadership coup against Heath. If, as AlfieJ suggested, du Cann runs and his campaign is tarnished by his business failure, is the obvious disquiet in the Conservative Party over Heath's leadership quelled, and Heath defeats the challenger, or would another candidate (Reginald Maudling, perhaps?) challenge before 1979?
 
So we'll assume those who helped propel Margaret Thatcher to power (Airey Neave, Edward du Cann, Keith Joseph) would be influential in any ATL attempt at a leadership coup against Heath. If, as AlfieJ suggested, du Cann runs and his campaign is tarnished by his business failure, is the obvious disquiet in the Conservative Party over Heath's leadership quelled, and Heath defeats the challenger, or would another candidate (Reginald Maudling, perhaps?) challenge before 1979?

No, the party is not going to support someone who has been in charge for a decade, had a disastrous spell as PM, lost two elections and is far from emollient. Sooner or later he is going to be replaced. The big question is if he jumps before he is pushed allowing Whitelaw to stand, and if Whitelaw stands he will win, or if he tries to hang on allowing a right-winger to build momentum.
 
Ok, thanks for that chaps. I'll go and flesh out some of my ideas, adding together the premise of a very interesting PoD as inspired by this thread.
 
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