Matthew Parris

Matthew Parris is one of Britain's best known and most respected political columnists. His witty, razor sharp reports grace both The Times and The Spectator, and his skills as an interlocutor are also much in evidence through frequent television and radio appearances. As a former Conservative MP, Matthew is highly experienced in the ways of Westminster and its hallowed chambers and busy bars, where official information and gossip are imparted in equal measures!

Mathew served as the Conservative MP for the county constituency of West Derbyshire from 1979 until 1986, leaving Parliament specifically to take over from Brian Walden as host of ITV's influential Sunday lunchtime current-affairs series Weekend World. Other TV credits have included guesting on the BBC's comedy panel show Have I Got News For You and hosting Channel 4's late night chat show After Dark. On Radio, Matthew has presented Great Lives biography series on BBC Radio 4 and a light-hearted documentary on politicians' use of cliché and jargon, entitled Not My Words, Mr Speaker (also Radio 4).

In addition to his regular columns for The Times and The Spectator, Mathew has written many books on politics and travel, including Inca-Kola (about his travels in Peru), Great Parliamentary Scandals and Scorn, A Castle In Spain (about his family's project to refurbish a derelict sixteenth-century mansion, L'Avenc in Catalonia), and an autobiography entitled Chances Witness, which won the Politico's Book Of The Year Award.

In 2004, Matthew became Writer of the Year in Granada Television's What the Papers Say Awards. His previous accolades include the Press Club's Edgar Wallace Outstanding Reporter of the Year Award (1990) and Society Of Editors' Columnist of the Year (1991). Mathew's most unusual award was when he was presented with an RSPCA medal by Margaret Thatcher for jumping into the Thames and rescuing a dog!

As a highly knowledgeable, well travelled political writer and broadcaster, Mathew Parris makes an excellent choice as an Awards Host or After-dinner Speaker. To book him, contact Prime Performers through our online booking enquiry form or by calling us on 020 3500 3331.