Sir Edward Richard George `` Ted '' Heath , KG , MBE , PC was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1970 until 1974 . Sir Edward Richard George `` Ted '' Heath , KG , MBE , PC ( 9 July 1916 â `` 17 July 2005 ) was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ( 1970 â `` 1974 ) and as Leader of the Conservative Party ( 1965 â `` 1975 ) .