WORLD : Heseltine Seeks Thatcher Post
Former Defense Minister Michael Heseltine today announced a bid to oust Margaret Thatcher from the British premiership she has held for 11 years and rejected criticism that it was wrong to force the contest during the Persian Gulf crisis.
Heseltine, 57 and a self-made millionaire, said he would run against the “Iron Lady” in a ballot beginning Tuesday for the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party.
Whoever wins will be prime minister. Aides said Thatcher, 65, is “determined to fight and win.” But some politicians said she is fighting for her political life.
A first ballot of elected Conservative legislators is scheduled for Tuesday, when Thatcher will be in Paris for a 34-nation European summit. Heseltine is not expected to win outright. He would need 159 of 372 votes to force a second ballot, if all legislators voted.
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