Matthew Parris
The secret excitement that lurks beneath our distress
Something about the word ‘bomb’ has always thrilled me, and I know why. No school today. In the 1950s we…
The concept of Evil is an evasion
A week of remembrance marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz last month had me thinking hard about…
Vegans are brave – and they have a point
It was a clear and icy night at home in Derbyshire last week. I love these times and, before bed,…
My fellow Remainers should not aim for a ‘soft Brexit’
‘I like to write when I’m feeling spiteful,’ remarked D.H. Lawrence. ‘It’s like having a good sneeze.’ A perennial challenge…
Labour’s failure isn’t necessarily the Tories’ success
A moment arrives when one does just have to admit defeat. We shall leave the European Union and there isn’t…
The Tories will win – but with no thanks to the North
It’s time to stick my neck out. What follows is anecdotal and my hunches have often been wrong. But I…
What on earth are the Lib Dems up to?
Jo Swinson is right. Most of the gains that it’s worth her party aiming for would be made at the…
I’ll vote Lib Dem – but I can’t join them
I don’t believe that before last week I’ve ever quit any organisation on an issue of principle. I tend to…
The question a second referendum must ask
Mostly I stay confident the Prime Minister’s team are playing a weak hand badly, but my confidence does occasionally falter.…
All ages are gullible – including our own
In the great days of the Daily Telegraph’s Peter Simple column, when I was a youth, that acid but hilarious…
Eight reasons why I know I’m a Conservative
‘Why don’t you just join the Liberal Democrats?’ If I’ve heard that once in the past couple of years I’ve…
History will soon judge this fraught time
Good stories have a dénouement. The Act III moment when all is revealed and the narrative comes in to land…
I’m giving £200 to whoever can tell me who has made the nation’s buttocks ache
Look out. Here comes a column banging on about something that, in the grand scheme of things, really doesn’t matter.…
I’ve started talking like a hardline Leaver
Our involuntary responses know us better than we know ourselves. As I left King Charles Street in Whitehall last week…
We Remainers aren’t going away
My voice is often recognised by people who don’t know me. My face, which is unmemorable, less so. But once…
Re-wilders forget that humans are nature too
‘Life pours back in.’ A score of us, listening to Charlie Burrell at the Knepp estate ten days ago, will…
Why are sensible Tories backing Boris Johnson?
It was when Matt Hancock went over to Boris Johnson that something snapped. ‘Every time a child says “I don’t…
Internet scammers can fool anyone – including me
Please don’t suppose I’m unaware I’ve been an idiot. I recount what happened to me last week without expecting your…
Only Boris can bury Brexit
Sit down, my swivel-eyed Brexiter friend, and pour yourself a stiff whisky. I’ve something to tell you that’s going to…
Tweedy or Trainer: Which kind of Brexiteer are you?
‘Too tweedy? Goodness gracious me!’ Rory Stewart sounded startled. A contender for the Tory leadership, he was being interviewed by…
How will history judge Brexit?
How will future generations revisit the Brexit years? Through what glass will we be seen? This spring and, I suspect,…
My advice to Leavers: go for a second referendum – you might just win
My first encounter with a plan to hold not one but two referendums on Britain’s European Union membership happened more…
What you learn standing on a street corner in Beirut
A pale sun had emerged from wintry clouds and the hillsides were topped snowy white. But all around me was…
Why we must make an example of Shamima Begum
The three most popular justifications for punishment under the law all (as it happens) begin with R. They are retribution,…
The day I had enough of experts
‘Don’t even try,’ said the man on the car deck as Brittany Ferries’ Finistère tied up on the dock in…
