1975 Conservative Party (UK) leadership election a major British political party. 1975 Conservative Party (UK) leadership election The 1975 Conservative Party leadership election was held in February 1975, in which the party's sitting MPs voted Margaret Thatcher as party leader on the second ballot. Previous leader Edward Heath stood aside after the first ballot, in which he unexpectedly finished behind Thatcher. The Conservatives were the official Opposition to the Labour government, so Thatcher also became Leader of the Opposition. Edward Heath, leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister had called and unexpectedly lost the February 1974 general election. Although the Labour Party were able only
Tory Reform Group in 'freedom, individual responsibility and community' matter now more than ever". The TRG has an events programme and publications, principally its journal. The TRG brings together members and supporters of the Conservative Party who share this approach to Conservative politics. Members include parliamentarians, councillors, association officers and private individuals. The oldest known branch, which pre-dated the National TRG, was founded in the University of Oxford in 1962, when they split from the Oxford University Conservative Association. This branch disbanded in 2007. The Tory Reform Group (TRG) was formally established in June 1975 from the merger of four groups: PEST (Pressure