Rory Stewart for P.M.

[HappydaysArehere]

We would actually vote Tory if he was elected. We first noticed him when he made a fascinating programme on Laurence of Arabia but his experience and recognition abroad seems to be little recognised in this country. There is an interesting article in the Guardian today which I would love to have linked but stupidly I don’t know how to do it.
However, am interested in how many of you have noticed him and would support him if given the chance.

I'd never vote Tory. Ever.

But, yes, he seems intelligent, thoughtful, balanced and sane. The best of a bad bunch by far. As such I suspect he has little chance.

Never say never (or ever).

I grew up in a very labour family - but wouldn’t touch them with a bargelole these days. My dad was involved in the local party and he would have really hated what they are now.

I can say never. Never ever. I was a child of thatcher. Between that austerity, and the shitfest that is Brexit they would never get my vote. Ever.

Also, I left the UK 15 years ago last month so am no longer entitled to vote

My non-existent vote would also not go to labour any time soon. Fuckers. I voted for Blair in my first general election - that worked out fab

I was a child of thatcher too. I don’t recognise labour and haven’t for some time now. It was ‘for all’ and now it is not.

Have you seen his voting record?

He comes across as quite nice, his voting record suggests otherwise.

Yes I agree he’s be my pick for leader. Not much competition to be fair.
I’d vote for him.

Was only saying this to DH on Thursday night watching question time (why did Fiona let Barry Gardiner waffle on whilst not answering the questions and saying not much at all). He seems intelligent, measured and hasn't, so far, been rude about the opposition or fellow competitors.

No, what is his voting record?

He voted against the military covenant, yet always seem to vote in favour of putting our troops in harm's way.
Plus he's consistent in hammering the under-privileged.
Those two are enough to ensure he won't be getting any support from me.

No I haven’t seen his voting record. I will investigate.
Although I said I would vote Tory if he was leader I must explain that until Corbyn materialised from relative obscurity promoted by the hard left, I was a staunch Labour supporter.
However, I, along with others, are in a political wilderness. I voted tactically for the Liberals in the EU elections. Something I thought I would never do. I too abhorred the Thatcher years and would never forget them. Now, I am open to adjust my views according to circumstances.

Since one of this shower is going to be PM he’s possibly the best pick in the short term - he appears (on my limited knowledge of his career - feel free to correct me) to have a record for doing actual jobs and not screwing them up. In terms of domestic policy he’s not an improvement on May but he’s better than Raab and, of course, infinitely better than Johnson.

I read your title as Rod Stewart.
Totally disappointed 😂

He seems intelligent, measured and hasn't, so far, been rude about the opposition or fellow competitors.

That’s a pretty low bar for getting your vote - what has politics come to!

That said, Gove would also meet those criteria and look what he did to education. Can’t trust a Tory just because they’re polite.

Nope. Could never vote for a man that happily shits on the British Armed Forces (and for the same reason would never vote for Corbyn)

His voting record shows he's obeyed the Tory Whip until becoming a respected junior minister.
He can negotiate and compromise (stellar diplomatic career) and is incredibly sharp and intelligent. First minister that the prison service has respected in ages - all involved were sad to see him go, though its good to see someone with relevant experience at DfID.

He reminds me of a Tory David Miliband - I doubt he'll get the job but if we have to have a Tory government I'd much rather him than most of the other contenders.

I'm always a bit confused about why people place so much store by MPs individual voting records.

It isn't always as simple as they voted yes/no on something and that's the whole picture.

For example lots of lib/lab MPs voted against early gay marriage bills because they didn't think the proposed legislation went far enough in giving equal rights. When interpreted by a computer it just looks like they were voting 'against' gay marriage rather than showing the full picture.

MPs are also whipped to vote in particular ways that won't always necessarily reflect their personal beliefs. They have to hold their nose on some issues in order to be heard on others.

He is ex military isn’t he?

My auntie was on about him yesterday, she was fascinated by some programme he had made. I had never heard of him!

I honestly can't decide if he's brilliant or batshit.

Weird, I was just having this conversation with DH this morning - out of all the leadership candidates he's definitely emerging as one of the better options. He comes over as moderate and straightforward and like he might actually be a reasonably competent diplomat.

I'm pretty much a floating voter, have no die hard party allegiances but have always leaned left of centre and have never voted Tory. But I'd probably vote for a Stewart lead Conservative government over a Corbyn lead Labour one, and I couldn't say the same about any of the other leadership candidates.

He's not ex military in any meaningful way @LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD . He did less than a year, he didn't even complete a Short Service Commission which is 3 years. He likes to pretend he has military experience, but he doesn't.

Less than a year?