John Peet (born 8 May 1954) is a British journalist and author, who is at present the political editor of The Economist newspaper.

[1][2] Born in Mombasa as the elder son of Frank and June Peet, he grew up in Kenya where his father held a government position until 1963 when the family relocated to Oxfordshire.

He was educated at The Pilgrims' School, Charterhouse and St John's College, Cambridge, where he was awarded an academic scholarship.

Peet was an active member of the Disraelians, a political club in Cambridge supporting more conservative fiscal policy.

[3] Peet has written several Economist special reports on subjects including water, the future of Europe, Ireland, Turkey, and Britain's relationship with the EU.