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Original poster

Rory Stewart for Prime Minister

107 replies

Beneficentbovine88 · 27/02/2022 14:26

I know he's recently left politics to teach at Yale but I heard him speak about the Russia - Ukraine conflict on BBC international news this morning and he spoke with such intelligence and integrity that it reminded me what it would be like to have an intelligent, competent, responsible, honest, realistic person in charge rather than the current shambles. I know everyone is waiting to see whether BJ will have his Churchill moment given the current crisis but surely one of the hallmarks of a good leader is trustworthiness?

Just to be clear, I have no political affiliations at all any more. Just generally disillusioned.

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Nolongerteaching · 07/08/2022 11:33

I think something is afoot…
Sid anyone catch the interview where he said he would like to beach in U.K. politics and that a new party is needed. Something that holds the middle ground…

Nolongerteaching · 07/06/2022 09:25

I think he would be very good for the times we are in now. He has credibility and intelligence.

even if he just did a short stint until Brexit/Covid/Ukraine/cost of living is sorted.

But he is probably too intelligent to take on the job with all those issues😄

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 06/06/2022 15:03

Oh god I read that as Rod Steward! I’ve often wondered what situation would be in with Rory instead of Boris.

Fere · 06/06/2022 15:01

He could be PM but as he isn't an MP he can't, I believe, speak in Parliament. So would need a permanent representative there?

Nolongerteaching · 06/06/2022 14:25

Any chance he’d come back?

Kendodd · 01/06/2022 21:54

Well members of the Tory party, with their great wisdom, decided Boris Johnson was better.

Changechangychange · 01/06/2022 21:32

Re him being out of touch, he did a sofa-surfing thing with his constituents so he could understand people's lives and listen to their views. So he did try hard to be able to represent people

I know he is trying, which is why I like him, but I do feel that our government should be representative, and maybe made up of people who don’t have to actively set out to “try to understand the plebs”?

Like I say, I think he is the best he could be given his extremely privileged background (which he obviously can’t do anything about), and I don’t doubt his sincerity. I’m just not sure he is an ideal candidate.

He isn’t a normal person, he doesn’t know any normal people, and the only way he can meet normal people is by setting up stunt sleepovers when he is up for election… my issue is more philosophical about who leads us, than any particular issue with Rory. He is just unfortunately a great exemplar of the problem, while being a perfectly nice man himself.

itsgettingweird · 01/06/2022 20:30

I also like him.

AssignedSlytherinAtBirth · 01/06/2022 20:25

I also follow him on Twitter and really respect him. Re him being out of touch, he did a sofa-surfing thing with his constituents so he could understand people's lives and listen to their views. So he did try hard to be able to represent people. He speaks Pastun too. All round interesting guy, with integrity.

Abra1d1 · 01/06/2022 20:18

Ripepear · 28/02/2022 11:07

I read the title as rod stewart and opened thread wondering if he was into politics these days !

Now that’s a thought. Rod for PM.

PrincessesRUs · 01/06/2022 20:08

Have always loved him!

SammyScrounge · 01/06/2022 20:07

I rate Rory Stewart and Tom Tugendhat. Both of them seem straight as an arrow.

Goonerz · 01/06/2022 20:07

Ferngreen · 01/06/2022 19:54

He's been a bit flighty - first appeared as Cumberland MP, fighting for the farmers etc, next he was doing something else in London, now he's lecturing at Yale - not a steady Eddy.

🙄

EveSix · 01/06/2022 20:04

Ha, he's my secret Tory heart-throb!
I was sort of dry sobbing over my washing up bowl this morning, wondering where the hell all the adults have gone in politics. And my thoughts took flight to Rory Strewart. I really wish he knew he has a MN fan base.

Kreature69 · 01/06/2022 19:59

Ripepear · 28/02/2022 11:07

I read the title as rod stewart and opened thread wondering if he was into politics these days !

His name is actually roderick!

Nat6999 · 01/06/2022 19:58

I've been listening to his podcasts with Alistar Campbell, for a Tory he isn't bad.

Kreature69 · 01/06/2022 19:54

I was gutted when he didn't win the tory leadership....

Ferngreen · 01/06/2022 19:54

He's been a bit flighty - first appeared as Cumberland MP, fighting for the farmers etc, next he was doing something else in London, now he's lecturing at Yale - not a steady Eddy.

Changechangychange · 01/06/2022 19:51

I like him. I’m not sure he is quite as amazing as his PR makes him out to be - during his walkabouts with “normal voters” he claimed he was going to approach “gangsters”, by which he meant two black office workers out buying their lunch in central London. I think he is as good as you are going to get from a rich white old Etonian, and apparently those are the only candidates for PM we get to pick from.

And he is also literally a spy.

SweatyChamoisPad · 01/06/2022 19:41

I think he’s a decent TV presenter but his voting record makes me see him in a different light www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24964/rory_stewart/penrith_and_the_border/votes

WobblyLondoner · 01/06/2022 19:29

Apologies if someone has mentioned it already but Rory S has a fantastic weekly podcast with Alistair Campbell called the Rest is Politics. The schtick is having a left and right of centre person in the same discussion and it's highly entertaining and (to me) very informative. They agree a lot, disagree a fair bit (private schools is a running theme) and it's just very interesting. There was even a rueful discussion of the leadership debate someone mentions upthread, including taking off the tie!

My view of Rory S has gone up enormously - he's a smart, thoughtful, nuanced man who delivers the most scorching put downs of our current PM. Thoroughly recommend.

User135644 · 01/06/2022 19:12

I've never voted Tory but i'd prefer a Rory Stewart over an empty suit like Starmer. He's something different but in a good way (i.e. not populist like Boris) and has the intelligence.

TheFoxAndTheStar · 29/05/2022 23:31

I was just discussing this today - that I would vote for him regardless of party because he has integrity and seems a trustworthy leader that wouldn’t let the party politics get in the way.

HappydaysArehere · 29/05/2022 23:25

He is brilliant and I would definitely vote Tory if he was elected leader which should have happened if the Tory Party hadn’t decided on Johnson simply because they believed he had popular appeal.

Original poster
Beneficentbovine88 · 07/05/2022 15:34

Knittingchamp · 07/05/2022 08:58

I've never voted Tory and I genuinely respect him. I'd love him as a PM.

Yes he genuinely seems to have those old fashioned values of : wanting to serve, independence of thought, good work ethic and integrity ie sticking to his word.

He had some interesting things to say about the hideousness of being a politician nowadays in the last episode of 'The Rest Is Politics' though; describing the constant abuse and criticism. I doubt he will be returning to Westminster somehow.

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