Matthew Parris

Matthew Parris is a columnist for The Spectator and The Times.

From now on, I’ll greet Brexiteers with a grin

4 March 2017 9:00 am

I’m cheering up about Brexit. The moaning has to stop. Why be downhearted and edgy when you’re confident of your…

In (conditional) defence of John Bercow

18 February 2017 9:00 am

James Duddridge is not wrong. The Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, who has put down a ‘no confidence’…

Brexiteers need ladders to climb down

4 February 2017 9:00 am

I am worried about the mental state of many Brexiteers. The author of The Spectator’s weekly Notes, Charles Moore, always…

What really drives us in the big game of life?

21 January 2017 9:00 am

When were you last in a game reserve? Perhaps most Spectator readers will be familiar with the experience and if…

An age of bright new lights on ugly new estates

7 January 2017 9:00 am

‘Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers,’ remarked the journalist and screenwriter Ben Hecht,…

The one thing that really gets better with age

10 December 2016 9:00 am

On the London Underground last week the carriage was crowded. No seat. No problem. I’m only 67 and content to…

We live in a golden age of swearing

26 November 2016 9:00 am

Authors’ book tours are often fun but rarely easy. For me the long train journeys are a delight, but on…

Can we trust the people? I’m no longer sure

12 November 2016 9:00 am

The election of Donald Trump as president of the United States may have signalled the death of the closest thing…

Why didn’t I celebrate Oscar Wilde’s birthday?

29 October 2016 9:00 am

On Wednesday 19 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London, a reception was held to celebrate…

At all three party conferences, I felt cut adrift

15 October 2016 9:00 am

Perhaps it’s age, perhaps disillusion, or perhaps party conferences really aren’t what they used to be, but I have struggled…

Let the metropolitan elite lead the way

1 October 2016 9:00 am

How does one join the Liberal Metro-politan Elite? What should be the qualifications? I must be an LME member because…

Let the metropolitan elite lead the way

29 September 2016 1:00 pm

How does one join the Liberal Metro-politan Elite? What should be the qualifications? I must be an LME member because…

A remarkable testament of hope for Zimbabwe

17 September 2016 9:00 am

‘One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, Never doubted clouds would break, Never dreamed though right were…

A remarkable testament of hope for Zimbabwe

15 September 2016 1:00 pm

‘One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, Never doubted clouds would break, Never dreamed though right were…

My fascist moment on the ship of failures

3 September 2016 9:00 am

There are no roads from the Peruvian river port of Iquitos, but the rich take aeroplanes. Those who cannot pay…

My fascist moment on the ship of failures

1 September 2016 1:00 pm

There are no roads from the Peruvian river port of Iquitos, but the rich take aeroplanes. Those who cannot pay…

Something must be done for Wales

20 August 2016 9:00 am

On Monday 25 July we climbed Cader Idris. No particular reason except a free Monday and a memory of what…

Something must be done for Wales

18 August 2016 1:00 pm

On Monday 25 July we climbed Cader Idris. No particular reason except a free Monday and a memory of what…

The Bible is too important to be left to believers

6 August 2016 9:00 am

May I write a review of a review? I have to get this out of my system, having been unable…

The Bible is too important to be left to believers

4 August 2016 1:00 pm

May I write a review of a review? I have to get this out of my system, having been unable…

Don’t knock ‘secret deals’. We’ll need one soon

23 July 2016 9:00 am

As a founder member of the Guild of Blair-Bashers, someone who reacted strongly against him from our first encounter at…

Don’t knock ‘secret deals’. We’ll need one soon

21 July 2016 1:00 pm

As a founder member of the Guild of Blair-Bashers, someone who reacted strongly against him from our first encounter at…

For the first time, I feel ashamed to be British

9 July 2016 9:00 am

Before even writing this I know what response it will meet. Some who fought for Leave on 23 June will…

For the first time, I feel ashamed to be British

7 July 2016 1:00 pm

Before even writing this I know what response it will meet. Some who fought for Leave on 23 June will…

Was there any way not to traduce Cliff Richard?

25 June 2016 3:00 am

Sir Cliff Richard will not be charged with historic sex offences, say the police and Crown Prosecution Service. There is…