Heseltine, Michael Ray Dibdin (1933– )

British Conservative politician, defence secretary 1983–86 and deputy prime minister 1995–97. A charismatic speaker and strong supporter of closer British integration within the European Union, he became a fierce backbench critic of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from 1986 and challenged her for the party's leadership in 1990. Under Thatcher's successor as prime minister, John Major, Heseltine served as secretary of state for the environment 1990–92, for trade and industry 1992–95, and as deputy prime minister 1995–97.

Heseltine was born in Swansea, south Wales, and was educated at Shrewsbury School and Oxford University. He founded a successful publishing company in the 1960s, before being elected to Parliament on 1966, representing Tavistock (to 1974) and Henley (1974–2001). He was environment secretary 1979–83, under Prime Minister Thatcher, and then succeeded John Nott as minister of defence until January 1986, when he resigned over the Westland affair, involving disagreements between himself and Thatcher over rescue bids for an ailing helicopter manufacturer. He became a major critic of Margaret Thatcher. In November 1990, Heseltine's challenge to Thatcher's leadership of the party brought about her resignation. After the Conservatives' defeat in 1997, he announced that he would not contest the party's vacant leadership because of heart problems, but continued to make known his views on European issues, supporting a campaign for the UK to join the European Single Currency. He retired from parliament in 2001 and was given a life peerage as Baron Heseltine of Thenford in the County of Northamptonshire.