After Dinner SpeakersThe Rt. Hon. Michael Portillo is a Former Tory MP, Broadcaster and Guest Speaker.
Born in North London, Michael Portillo attended Harrow County Grammar School and went to Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he gained a first-class degree in History.
He left Cambridge in 1975 and worked for a shipping company.
He moved to the Conservative Party Research Department in 1976, where he spent three years.
At the 1979 General Election, he briefed Margaret Thatcher before her press conferences. He was Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Energy for the next two years.
After working for Kerr McGee Oil (UK) Ltd, he contested the Birmingham Perry Bar seat at the 1983 Election.
Michael Portillo returned to politics as a special adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Nigel Lawson) and in December 1984 won the by-election in Enfield Southgate, caused by the murder of Sir Anthony Berry MP in the Brighton bombing. Michael represented the seat for thirteen years but was defeated in the 1997 Election.
He joined the Government in 1986 and remained a member until 1997.
His positions included:
- Whip
- Parliamentary Under Secretary for Social Security
- Minister of State for Transport
- Minister of State for Local Government and Inner Cities
- Chief Secretary to the Treasury
- Privy Council Member
- Secretary of State for Employment
- Secretary of State for Defence
After his 1997 electoral defeat, Portillo returned to Kerr McGee as an adviser.
He returned to the Commons between 2000 and 2005, was shadow Chancellor, and unsuccessfully contested the party’s leadership in 2001.
Writer & Broadcaster:
Since leaving politics, Michael Portillo has devoted himself to writing and broadcasting.
Michael currently presents Sunday with Michael Portillo on GB News.
In 2003, he began the weekly political discussion programme This Week on BBC1 with fellow presenters Andrew Neil and Diane Abbott.
Michael became a weekly columnist on The Sunday Times in 2004.
In 2006, he joined the Moral Maze team on BBC Radio 4.
Furthermore, he has made a selection of radio and television documentaries on a wide range of subjects, including:
- Great British Railway Journeys
- Great Continental Railway Journeys
- Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo
- Great American Railroad Journeys
- Wagner and the Spanish Civil War
- Portillo in Euroland
- Portillo Goes Wild in Spain
- Dinner with Portillo
- Portugal with Michael Portillo
Michael Portillo – After-Dinner Speaker:
Michael Portillo is one of Britain’s most distinguished after-dinner speakers, captivating audiences across the UK and beyond with his unique blend of political insight, wit, and charm.
A former Cabinet Minister under Prime Minister John Major, and now a celebrated broadcaster known for his BBC series Great British Railway Journeys.
Michael brings decades of experience, intellect, and charisma to the speaking stage.
As a keynote speaker, his topics include:
- Transformational Leadership
- Change Management
- Defence & Security
- Society
- Employment
- Transport and Travel
- Politics
Tour – A Life of Two Halves
Michael tours the UK with his one-man theatre show – A Life of Two Halves.
Speaking to sold-out venues, Michael shares funny, insightful, and poignant stories from his extraordinarily rich and varied life. View tour dates.
