The Grocer Goes On

February 4th 1975

Thank you. Ladies and gentleman if I may have your utmost attention. Being the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, I declare the that the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows. Fraser, Hugh Charles Patrick Joseph - eleven. Heath, Edward Richard George - one hundred and sixty two. Thatcher, Margaret Hilda - ninety two. I declare that the said Edward Richard George Heath is re-elected leader of the Conservative Party.

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A History of Modern Conservatism in Britain

It was an immense blow to the Tory right. Just hours before the voting started, rough estimates had put Thatcher at 120 votes or more. The general view as to why these estimates were grossly inaccurate is that a large number of backbenchers simply suffered from a case of cold feet - or perhaps some form of internal sexism. But a more likely explanation is the ineptness of the Thatcher campaign. She didn't herself canvass for votes in the tea rooms - choosing instead to leave it to close supporters. Nevertheless (and as ironic as it may seem), the re-election of the old and battered Heath marked the beginning of a new era in British politics.

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The Wilson-Heath Years

Despite losing the support of nearly 40% of the parliamentary Tories, Ted Heath was both pleased and stunned to have secured a first ballot victory. Thatcher and Fraser both sent messages of congratulation within minutes of the result. Heath could now look forward to many more battles with Wilson...or so he thought.
 
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April 1975


Chaos: Britain in the 1970s

The next major political event was the referendum on the European Economic Community. In April, a Labour members' conference voted against continued membership, which was contrary to the position of the party leadership. The Conservatives were also divided on the issue, with Heath and most of the shadow cabinet being strongly in the Yes camp while a vocal section of the party's right-wing favoured withdrawal. However, this was all overshadowed by a shocking announcement from a certain John Enoch Powell. He would be forming his own political party.

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The People's Democratic Alliance - A New Dawn

Powell stood calmly alongside fellow maverick Joseph. "I am here to inform the nation" he began, "that a new dawn has arisen. The People's Democratic Alliance offers Great Britain sovereignty, not fragile internationalism. It offers democracy, not bureaucracy. Responsibility, not socialism. These values may have been thoroughly rejected by the mainstream politicians, but they still run passionately through the heart and soul of this land."

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Powellism - A Reflection

Even Powell himself could not have envisioned how successful the new party would be. Within two weeks of that historic speech, it was at 20% in the Gallup poll. It's unlikely that the party could have attracted as much support if, say, Keith Joseph were leading it. Even in 1975, seven years after 'Rivers of Blood', Enoch Powell was still the most popular politician in the country, a country that had been consistently let down by the likes of Wilson and Heath. For many people, Powell represented a new beginning, a new era of integrity in politics where leaders actually listened to the wishes of the masses.
 
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Seems a bit WIGBHP but with a new party twist. Interessant.

In that Enoch Powell is running around. Is there a reason he is no longer considered untouchable ITTL that Joseph and others would jump ship under his banner?
 
In that Enoch Powell is running around. Is there a reason he is no longer considered untouchable ITTL that Joseph and others would jump ship under his banner?

Indeed, his chance at gaining Tory defectors ended with his endorsement of Labour during the October 1974 election and of the Callaghan government when it was at its weakest moments. I also must ask how Heath managed to triumph when he lost the party three out of four elections, his campaign could be summed up as "why don't you idiots just accept that I am the best leader so I can stop pretending to listen" and even Douglas Hurd, Heath's PPS, was turned away by the campaign. You could have Edward du Cann face Heath and lose due to the collapse of his business, that might be able to do it but he would have to invite a lot of the Tory Right to the table such as Joseph, Thatcher and Tebbit and make policy concessions which won't be that great for party unity.
 
Indeed, his chance at gaining Tory defectors ended with his endorsement of Labour during the October 1974 election and of the Callaghan government when it was at its weakest moments. I also must ask how Heath managed to triumph when he lost the party three out of four elections, his campaign could be summed up as "why don't you idiots just accept that I am the best leader so I can stop pretending to listen" and even Douglas Hurd, Heath's PPS, was turned away by the campaign. You could have Edward du Cann face Heath and lose due to the collapse of his business, that might be able to do it but he would have to invite a lot of the Tory Right to the table such as Joseph, Thatcher and Tebbit and make policy concessions which won't be that great for party unity.

Edited the opening post to answer one of those points. As for Powell, well, I would imagine that certain people in the Conservative Party would be desperate after a Heath re-election.
 
The 1975 EEC Referendum Campaign (Part One)

The Varley Diaries

April 30th 1975: This campaign is going to be an absolute circus. I can sense it. Enoch is practically running the show on our side. I dread to think how well his outfit could do in the locals tomorrow.

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The People's Democratic Alliance - A New Dawn

The first big test for the Alliance came in the local elections on May 1st. The party had managed to stand candidates in around a third of all seats, despite having only existed for a month. They exceeded all expectations by winning 172 council seats. Their biggest success came in Bradford, where they became the largest party (although Labour and the Liberals formed a minority to keep them out of power). Powell had made an electoral breakthrough. The question now, as he entered another crucial campaign, was whether he had peaked too soon.
 
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Michael Foot hated diarists. It was another thing that he shared with Powell with and he tried to prevent Tony Benn and Barbara Castle from writing about Cabinet meetings in their diaries whenever he could.
 
Michael Foot hated diarists. It was another thing that he shared with Powell with and he tried to prevent Tony Benn and Barbara Castle from writing about Cabinet meetings in their diaries whenever he could.

Alright thanks. Replaced by a (very different) No vote advocate.
 
Was thinking about a Heath Leadership post 1975 the other day as it happens. Will follow this TL-and might have to check out the other recent TL mentioned here.
 
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