1975 Conservative Party (UK) leadership election cabinet members pledged their support for Heath including Jim Prior, Peter Carrington, Leader in the House of Lords, and Robert Carr, Shadow Chancellor. However Margaret Thatcher opted to stand, with Airey Neave as her campaign manager, as did backbencher Hugh Fraser. Even then many believed that Heath would win easily. Thatcher's support was seen as minimal, with all the Conservative daily newspapers backing Heath (although the weekly "The Spectator" backed Thatcher). As the election went on it became clear that the race was going to be much closer, as Thatcher became the clear candidate to be supported by discontented backbenchers.
Islamophobia in the UK Conservative Party (2016–present) the terror group and instead was a supporter of an Islamic state based on Islamic principles. Cameron later apologised for the slur, and former Defence Secretary Michael Fallon also apologised and paid compensation for making similar remarks about Gani. Senior Conservatives, including Baroness Warsi, former chancellor Ken Clarke and Andrew Boff, the Conservative group leader of the Greater London assembly condemned Goldsmith for painting Khan as an extremist and a risk to UK security. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said the campaign was an example of Tory "dog whistle anti-Muslim racism". Conservative politician Michael Gove's 2006 book on the