Matthew Parris

Former conservative MP and parliamentary sketchwriter for The Times, Matthew Parris writes a weekly columnist for the paper, is an author and TV personality. Charismatic and highly intelligent Matthew is well-placed to deliver both a compelling speech on current affairs concerning the country, or entertain an audience with an after-dinner talk.

Matthew Parris is one of the UK’s most highly respected journalists and a charismatic and knowledgeable  after dinner speaker  and  keynote speaker . From academia to politics, to print, TV and radio journalism, his interests are far-reaching and his analytical thinking is motivational, entertaining and educational.

Born in Johannesburg, Matthew Parris was educated in Britain and Africa, graduating from Clare College, Cambridge before going on to study International Relations at Yale.

Two years at the Foreign Office were followed by a spell at the Conservative Research Department. After a period in Margaret Thatcher’s office, Matthew was elected MP for West Derbyshire in the 1979 General Election. He gave up his seat in 1986 to pursue a media career when he was offered the role of presenter of LWT’s political interview programme, ‘Weekend World’.  Following this, he was the parliamentary sketch writer for The Times from 1988 to 2001.

Matthew is a frequent contributor to many other publications including The Spectator and The Times and has been named ‘Columnist of the Year’ at the British Press Awards on numerous occasions. He presents the Radio 4 biographical programme 'Great Lives' and often appears on other radio and television programmes.

He has published several books on his travels and political insights, which have all been highly acclaimed.

An adept and charismatic after dinner speaker and keynote speaker, and is in high demand on the corporate circuit for both keynotes and after-dinners. Matthew can comfortably cover topics of politics, journalism, international affairs, Brexit and travel.