After Dinner Speakers: Michael Ancram, Marjorie Orr, Sonia

He is an Earl, married to the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, but always prefers to be known as Mr or just Michael. He is famous for his love of folk music and regularly plays guitar at Tory party gatherings. He is from the left wing of the Tory party and, while he was given his first ministerial post by Margaret Thatcher, he always appeared more at peace with John Major's leadership. Sent to the Northern Ireland office by John Major and despite the fact Mr Ancram had been in the Grand Hotel in Brighton when it was bombed by the IRA in 1984, he led the first government delegation to public talks with Sinn Fein in 1995. His great political skills are as a conciliator and has a reputation as a trustworthy and safe colleague.