John Crace

John Crace is The Guardian’s parliamentary sketch writer, known for his sharp satire and “Digested Read” column.

John Crace is a British journalist, author, and satirist best known as The Guardian’s parliamentary sketch writer. Since 2014, he has chronicled the theatre of Westminster with biting wit and weary compassion, turning political chaos into civic catharsis. His “Digested Read” column skewers literary pretension, while his books—including A Farewell to Calm and The Bonfire of the Inanities—offer lacerating insight into Britain’s recent political upheavals.

Beyond satire, Crace has written candidly about his recovery from heroin addiction, contributing to public conversations around mental health and vulnerability. His work blends sharp commentary with emotional honesty, making him one of the UK’s most distinctive voices in political journalism.

Sessions

John Crace appears in the following sessions. Select a session to find out more:
The Bonfire of the Insanities: How Does This Government Thing Work Again?
Sun 15th March 2026
Link to the session The Bonfire of the Insanities: How Does This Government Thing Work Again?

Want to hear John Crace?

If you’d like to see John Crace speak at this year’s Malvern Festival of Ideas, you can book onto their session(s), or get tickets to a wide range of talks.