Former Tory party leader William Hague will be the guest speaker and host for the 2005 TTJ Awards on September 15.
The MP for Richmond in Yorkshire and leader of the opposition from 1997 to 2001, Mr Hague is known for his debating skills. This first came to attention when, as a 16-year-old schoolboy speaker, he made his political debut at the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool.
During his time as Tory leader, he was involved in around 200 exchanges and debates with Tony Blair in the House of Commons.
Mr Hague spent five years as a consultant at management consulting firm McKinsey & Co before entering the House of Commons where he became minister for pensions and then secretary of state for Wales.
A fan of Margaret Thatcher, he became, at 36, the youngest Tory leader since William Pitt.
BBC News political editor, Andrew Marr wrote about him: “Such self confidence and precocious success would make many politicians cordially disliked, by colleagues and foes alike. In Mr Hague’s case, however, it goes with a sunny, almost impish good humour and private openness which has won him admirers across the political spectrum.”
“We’ve had some excellent guest speakers for the TTJ Awards over the last eight years, including Michael Portillo, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Roy Hattersley, Jeremy Paxman and last year PY Gerbeau,” said TTJ editor Mike Jeffree. “We always try to choose a prominent figure who can both entertain and deliver a message to our industry. I think William Hague fits the bill perfectly.”
