Michael Portillo

British journalist, broadcaster, and former politician · United Kingdom · On the map · Journalists · Born 1953 · age 73

Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a British journalist, broadcaster, and retired politician. His broadcast series include railway documentaries such as Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys.

Michael Portillo is read about 1,252 times a day, in 25 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 10 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 116 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

1997“We believe that children are best brought up in stable family arrangements with two parents.”In their words9 October 1997Speech to the Centre for Policy Studies (9 October 1997), quoted in Jill Sherman, '‘Tolerance is a part of the Tory tradition’', The TimesRead the whole statement

1995“[Schools should teach the history] of this remarkable country...the real history of heroes and bravery, of good versus evil, of freedom against tyranny.”In their words10 October 1995Speech to the Conservative Party conference (10 October 1995), quoted in Philip Webster, 'Tories make Europe their battleground', The TimesRead the whole statement

“Around the world three letters send a chill down the spine of the enemy - SAS. And those letters spell out one clear message: don't mess with Britain.”In their words10 October 1995Speech to the Conservative Party conference (10 October 1995), quoted in Philip Webster, 'Tories make Europe their battleground', The TimesRead the whole statement

“Brussels is a city packed with people who know what is best for us.”In their words10 May 1995Speech to the Scottish Conservative Party conference in Glasgow (10 May 1995), quoted in Michael Dynes, 'Santer vetoes the ‘opt-out Europe’Read the whole statement

1994“If any of you have got an A-level it is because you have worked to get it. Go to any other country and when you have got an A-level, you have bought it.”In their wordsSpeech to Conservative students at Southampton University, quoted in Philip Webster and Jonathan Prynn, 'Portillo says sorry after ‘cheats’Read the whole statement

“A [single currency] would mean giving up the government of the UK. No British government can give up the government of the UK. That's impossible.”In their words1 May 1994Statement (1 May 1994), quoted in 'Speaking of a single currency...', The Times (10 February 1995), p. 8Read the whole statement

1953Born26 May 1953

People around Michael

Media & music

Photos 6

Portillo (centre) with Admiral Sir Peter Abbott and US Defence Secretary William J. Perry aboard HMS Illustrious in 1996

Portillo (left) being interviewed by Nick Robinson in 2001

Filming at Taunton railway station, in trademark exotic colours, 2017

Portillo in 2017

Class 66 66719 Michael Portillo locomotive nameplate, named at Greatest Gathering in Derby (2025)

In their own words 2

Michael Portillo

2 statements, newest first

At the next election there will be a stark choice for the British people. The fundamental issue will be sovereignty: sovereignty of the nation and sovereignty of the individual.
10 May 1995 · Speech to the Scottish Conservative Party conference in Glasgow (10 May 1995), quoted in Nicholas Wood, 'Clarke and Portillo vie for soul, Own words
The State has slipped into an attitude of studied amorality... It is time to return to plain speaking and traditional values...
1994 · Clear Blue Water, pamphlet published by Conservative Way Forward, quoted in William Rees-Mogg, 'Give us something to believe', The Times, Own words

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About this person

A former member of the Conservative Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Enfield Southgate from 1984 to 1997 and Kensington and Chelsea from 1999 to 2005, holding a number of ministerial and Cabinet positions.

Country

United Kingdom