Edward Heath at 80 still plans to have the last word – archive, 1996

9 July 1996: The public Heath has never been easily lovable and all those efforts to humanise a very private man, as musician, yachtsman, even as Father of the Commons, have never quite worked

The former Conservative premier Sir Edward Heath yesterday warmed up for his 80th birthday celebration today in characteristically candid style by giving yet another interview in which he criticised his government and his party.

Europe? The pro-Europeans kept quiet out of loyalty to John Major, he told Radio 4’s World at One. “We may have been wrong, but it was out of loyalty that we did it. It may be the time has come when we have all got to shout out.”

Related: From the archive: Ted Heath on leading Britain towards the EEC

Related: Edward Heath writes about his passion for music: From the archive, 25 November 1976

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