The individual behind the Secret Tory Twitter account has revealed himself to be Henry Morris, a personal trainer.
Since its inception in 2019, the parody account has amassed nearly 200,000 followers, and its anonymous author published a book in 2018.
Followers have hypothesized that the individual behind the account is either a well-known comedian or an actual politician.
However, Morris is an ultramarathon athlete and personal trainer from Yorkshire who now resides in Wales.
Morris annually produces amateur Shakespeare productions in Wales, is behind the Field Manoeuvres festival in Norfolk, and campaigns with Chris Packham’s Wild Justice group to end raptor persecution on grouse moors.
Morris told, “I began accidentally parodying Mark Francois during the height of Brexit when I was bored between training clients in the gym.”
It took on a life of its own almost immediately; I recall people in the gym chuckling about the account without knowing it was me. It was gratifying to have my suspicion that I could make people laugh confirmed.
The anti-Conservative satirical account rose to prominence when Brexit dominated the news before the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.
It was originally known as Mark ne Francois pas, a reference to Conservative MP Mark Francois, before changing its name to Michael Govern Ready (a reference to Michael Gove and the Brexit agreement that was already in the oven) and, finally, The Secret Tory.
“Other individuals realize they excel at activities such as ballet or darts. “It turns out I’m very good at pretending to be a Conservative member of parliament,” Morris said.
“I have enjoyed the ruse, but I believe it is time to reveal my true identity. And anyway, I’m confident an AI will be able to accomplish all of this within a few weeks.”
The Times columnist Caitlin Moran and the LBC presenter James O’Brien endorsed his 2022 publication The Diary of a Secret Tory MP: (Almost!) True Stories from the Heart of British Politics.
Despite the use of the term MP in the book’s title and the Twitter bio, Morris is not and has never been a member of parliament for any political party.
Morris stated, “If people are feeling cheated because I’m not a real MP, I’d like to apologize, but I can’t.” “It has much more to do with the behavior of those seated in Westminster than with my con artistry.”
The tone of the Twitter account has evolved. Initially intended as satire, Morris stated that he began “going on the offensive rather than simply playing the fool.”
“The issue was, if people expect you to be funny and you’re angry, it doesn’t work,” he explained.
People are always telling me they liked it better when I made jokes about Mark ne-Francois-pas’ mock-Tudor carport and Sugar Puffs breakfasts prepared with a can of Monster. Who knows? I believe I’ve regained my equilibrium, but who knows?”
