Joseph Walcott Parry was born in Cotton Ground, educated in Charlestown Secondary School and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Economics at the University of the West Indies.

Following the 1993 elections, he was appointed as Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism in the minority government with People's Action Movement.

[4] In the 10 July 2006 Island Assembly election, Parry's NRP won three out of five seats, ending the 14-year rule of the Concerned Citizens' Movement (CCM).

[4] In the 11 July 2011 Island Assembly election, Parry's NRP again won three out of five seats and was return to office for a second term.

In the 22 January 2013 Island Assembly election, Parry's NRP won two out of five seats and therefore was succeeded as Premier by Vance Amory.