William Hague is the former leader of the Conservative Party. Hague was born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire a strongly working-class area, and caused a sensation at the age of sixteen by speaking at the Conservative party's national conference.

Subsequently, Hague went to Magdalen College, Oxford, and while there was President of the Oxford Union, a noted breeding-ground for political hopefuls and high-flyers.

Whilst in Government William Hague was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Norman Lamont MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1990-93; Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the DSS from 1993-94; and Minister of State, DSS (with responsibility for Social Security and Disabled People) from 1994-95. He joined the Cabinet in 1995 as Secretary of State for Wales.
In 1997, Hague was elected leader of the Conservative Party in succession to John Major, in the hope that a fresh young face would counteract the public appeal of Tony Blair. This change proved unsuccessful, however, as the Conservatives won only one more seat in the 2001 General Election than they had in the 1997election. Following this defeat, Hague resigned as leader, thus becoming the first full Tory leader not to have become Prime Minister

Although perception of him in the country was often said to be unfavourable, Hague gained respect from all sides of the British House of Commons during his time as Leader of the Opposition for his brilliant performances as a debater. His ability to convey serious points with humour, often at his own expense, makes him one of the best performers in the House.

Whilst now on the backbenches, he occasionally still speaks in the House on the issues of the day. During a debate before the Iraq War (2003) Hague's speech in support of action proposed by Tony Blair was a typical example. During the television coverage of him speaking one could lipread the Prime Minister - whom Hague, a Conservative, normally opposes - saying with a grin to his colleague and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw: "He's good, you know."

Between 1997 and 2002 William Hague was the chairman of the International Domocrat Union.

William Hague was appointed shadow Foreign Secretary in David Cameron's first shadow cabinet.