The Sacred The Man Behind Brexit: Online Privacy, Business and Backlash in Public Life
Mar 26, 2025
Matthew Elliott, a Member of the House of Lords and former CEO of Vote Leave, shares his transformative journey from Leeds to political influencer. He discusses the family influences that shaped his political views and his evolution from skepticism to advocacy during the Brexit campaign. Elliott candidly reflects on the societal divisions created by Brexit and the critical intersection of business ethics and social responsibility. He also dives into the modern challenges of online privacy and the shifting landscape of surveillance between governments and corporations.
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Childhood and Upbringing
- Matthew Elliott grew up in Leeds, where his father worked as a social worker and his mother later became a non-stipendiary priest.
- Despite financial challenges, his parents provided a solid Christian upbringing.
Early Political Influences
- Elliott recalls political discussions at his grandfather's Sunday lunches, where his grandfather, a Thatcher supporter, and his father, with more socialist leanings, debated current events.
- These discussions sparked Elliott's early interest in politics.
Formative Influence of Free Market Economics
- Elliott's interest in free markets stems from his A-level economics teacher, who used Milton Friedman's "Free to Choose" as a teaching tool.
- This early exposure solidified his belief in free enterprise.
