Biffen, (William) John (1930- )

British Conservative politician. In 1971 he was elected to Parliament for the Wrekin seat, in Shropshire. Despite being to the left of Margaret Thatcher, he held key positions in government from 1979, including leader of the House of Commons from 1982, but was dropped after the general election of 1987. He subsequently became a greatly respected backbencher before retiring from Parliament in 1997.

His publications include Inside the House of Commons (1989) and Inside Westminster (1996). He was created a baron in 1997.