Anyone listening to Rory Stuart on Radio 4 now?

[Neolara]

Responding to a caller saying wto terms would be fine. Totally awesome! Unfailingly polite but took his argument to pieces in a really clear way.

I thought he came across well, although not totally convinced by his answer to abortion time limits.

I am unlikely to ever vote Tory, but he is my current preferred option.

I was really impressed by him on Question Time. I disagreed with him on some things (I've never voted Tory so that was inevitable) but have to say he seemed really intelligent. I think his diplomatic background would be really good - there's no comparison between him and BJ in terms of who I'd want representing our country.

He reads as shifty.
Something quite untrustworthy about him - he's holding a lot of himself back, likely the ultra conservative part.

I find him very thoughtful and refreshing. But I doubt he has any chance of winning, and I think the Tory party is destroying itself and he'll need to find another political home. It'll be interesting to watch his progress but in terms of power he's still an outsider.

I thought it was refreshing to have someone simply and clearly explaining why wto terms would be a disaster. He wasnt patronising, he was completely respectful and very measured. He expressed himself very clearly. I haven't heard anyone do that for a VERY long time. I also think he has bugger all hope of becoming leader of the Conservatives. I imagine if BJ becomes the leader pushing hard for no deal, RS may be seriously considering if this is a party he wants to stay part of.

One exchange went like this:

Caller: I'm sick of brexit Fear-mongering. You ignorant Politicians are all the same. You never had a real job and don't know the first thing about negotiations in the real world. Especially don't know what WTO terms really means.

Stewart: With respect, I negotiated deals with the WTO.

Caller: Remainer politican types never had a real job and know nothing about how WTO terms work.

Stewart: With respect, I negotiated deals with the WTO.

Caller: Project Fear again!

Stewart: If you think politicians are so useless, why do you think Boris Johnson would be any better at negotiating a different and better deal?

Caller: You Remainer politicians are useless and never had a real job or negotiated anything in the real world. You just want to promote Project Fear.

It was... surreal.

I’m afraid Rory Stewart is too clever to be electable in the current climate.
That’s an indictment of us not him

I thought he was brilliant! I always said I would never vote Tory but if he was PM I might reconsider...... Just bought a copy of his book Places in Between, only on chapter 2 but it's an interesting read