He was MP for Bebington from 1964-1966, for Reigate from 1970-1974 and for East Surrey from 1974-1992. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1979-1983 and was Foreign Secretary from 1983-1989. He was made a life peer in 1992. He was close friends with Denis Healey. Healey died a few days before Howe.