1970 - 1972

William Whitelaw (1918-1999) entered the Commons in 1955, following war service and an increasing interest in Conservative politics. He became a junior whip in 1959, and a junior minister at the ministry of labour in 1962. In opposition after 1964 he was appointed chief whip; after the Conservative victory of 1970 he became Leader of the House. Whitelaw was moved to Northern Ireland in 1972, the first Secretary of State for the province after the suspension of the Stormont Parliament. He was back in London the following year, as Secretary of State for employment. After the Conservatives' two 1974 general election defeats and Heath's resignation, Whitelaw stood for election as party Leader, but was beaten by Margaret Thatcher. He accepted the position of deputy Leader, and in her first cabinet was home Secretary; after the 1983 election he went to the Lords as Viscount Whitelaw of Penrith and the Leader of the upper House. He resigned from the government in 1987, following a stroke.