Andrew Neil

Andrew Neil
Neil in 2016
Born	Andrew Ferguson Neil (1949-05-21) 21 May 1949 Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Alma mater	University of Glasgow (MA)
Occupations	Journalist broadcaster
Spouse	Susan Nilsson ​ (m. 2015)​

Biography

Andrew Neil, born May 21, 1949, in Paisley, Scotland, is a prominent British journalist, broadcaster, and political commentator, known for his sharp interviewing style, deep political insight, and influential media career spanning decades.

Neil studied economics at the University of Glasgow, where he was editor of the student newspaper Glasgow University Guardian and president of the Students' Representative Council. After graduating, he began his journalism career at The Economist and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming its UK editor.

In 1983, Rupert Murdoch appointed Neil editor of The Sunday Times, a role he held until 1994. During this period, he transformed the paper into a more investigative and commercially successful publication, though not without controversy. Known for his free-market views and contrarian stance, Neil often challenged consensus thinking and political orthodoxy.

From the 1990s onwards, Neil transitioned into broadcasting. He became a familiar face on the BBC, hosting political programs such as The Daily Politics, This Week, and The Andrew Neil Show. His forensic interview style—calm but relentless—earned him a reputation as one of the most feared political interviewers in Britain. He has famously held politicians of all parties to account, often exposing weaknesses in their arguments.

Neil was also chairman of Press Holdings, publisher of The Spectator, where he served as editor for over a decade. In 2021, he briefly launched GB News, a right-leaning news channel, though he left the project shortly after its debut, citing editorial differences.

Andrew Neil is respected across the political spectrum for his intellectual rigor, journalistic experience, and no-nonsense approach to political discourse. He continues to contribute to media and political commentary, remaining an influential voice in British public life.

Music (likes)

BBC's Desert Island Discs (2007)

• Fire and Rain – James Taylor
• Smiling Phases – Blood, Sweat & Tears
• Concierto de Aranjuez – Miles Davis
• Variation IX "Nimrod" (from Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36) – Edward Elgar
• Symphony No. 9 in E minor "From the New World" – Antonín Dvořák
• Violin Concerto in D major – 1st movement – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End – The Beatles
• Being Boring – Pet Shop Boys

Literature (likes)

Miscellaneous

• The Wealth of Nations - Adam Smith