Conflict of Loyalty

"Conflict of Loyalty" is the life story of one of the most important figures in British politics in the late 20th century. In a frontbench career spanning twenty years, Geoffrey Howe served in the Cabinets of Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher. Under the latter, he was successively Chancellor, Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister during virtually the whole of her eleven years in power. In these memoirs, he gives a revealing account of government at the highest level during the 'triumph and tragedy' of the Thatcher premiership. He explains how and why he lost confidence in Thatcher, writing candidly about his dismissal as Foreign Secretary and resignation as Deputy PM. Geoffrey Howe's resignation speech in November 1990 was the catalyst for Thatcher's downfall. Here, he explains how and why he made the speech which changed British politics for ever.