Rory Stewart speaks with Charlotte Higgins at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Despite coming fourth in the Conservative Party’s leadership contest, Rory Stewart has emerged as one of this strange Summer’s surprise political winners. The International Development Secretary’s refreshing honesty and viral Twitter campaigning won him admirers across the political spectrum - and a growing sense that he is a future leader. In this event recorded live at the 2019 Edinburgh International Book Festival, Stewart talks to Guardian Chief Culture Writer Charlotte Higgins about what Brexit Britain can learn from the world of literature

[@philipmulville8218]

I learn something every time I listen to this wonderful man.

[@stephenshort5532]

What a wonderful human being, I would vote for you in the morning Rory Stewart no matter what party you were in.

[@jackspeight273]

21 years old, genuinely hope to grow into somebody like him

[@BanterRanterr]

He had exceptionally good start in life it will be difficult but good luck 👍

[@howardjdownes]

Profoundly taken aback by this conversation. Never having read him nor admittedly even aware of him until the Tory leadership/Prime Ministerial election, he is clearly a deep and philosophical politician with whom I can agree on many points- even as a Referendum "Leaver". I personally cannot understand the Brexit deadlock since I envisioned a kind of Swiss/Norwegian-style non-EU departure where both Customs Union and Single Market access would still apply as with such other countries. I feel that I now understand him a little more - I can relate to the 'midlife review' and re-examination, but can't square his support for the Tories these many years and cannot help but wonder if his life of exceptional privilege is at cause . A strange contradiction of a man, an enigma I feel.

[@derekwhyle1884]

How naive were you ? It’s never too late to admit a mistake but so many won’t.

[@henridobbs2423]

Rory on form hugely envious of the audience who got to see this in person. What is there to dislike about this? Charlotte did really well chairing this.

[@cecilefox9136]

He analyses so well the political situation!I find him a very interesting politician.

[@r.t.aegean3236]

Hopefully, this posted comment is not out of line, since it is posted from the U.S.A. Personally, I think America could benefit greatly from two (2) marvelous minds such as Mr. Stewart's and Ms. Higgins', who are also so well read and articulate. Mr. Stewart's book "The Places In Between", was my first introduction to him and I've admired his pluck and persistence ever since. Thanks for posting this enlightening, interesting - and not lacking in humor - video on KZbin.

[@tommystevenson2921]

Excellent debate and real opportunity to learn..... If we could only ensure we are represented by people of alike mind....i think he will come back into politics

[@mandead]

Rory

[@laurencebilly2685]

Uk missed out on the greatest modern PM. When that is willing to listen.

[@frederickmiles327]

Nonsense the greatest novels are all about politics and history even if they do not mention any historical or political characters. I mean Dickens, Tale of Two Cities. Or Tolstoy. Dostoevsky ' the Devils ' covers the sort of radical thinking by pseudo intellectuals that produced Lenin, Stalin, Goebbels and Mussolini. In terms of the decline of Britain, industrially, morally and militarily D H Lawrence, shows the picture in 'Lady Chatterley's Lover and Kangaroo depicts the Australian reaction, to post WW1 depression and embitterment in Australian Fascism.

[@garethyoung6067]

Excellent

[@marionmclean185]

I note that Rory thinks the LibDems are the third largest party? He ignored the SNP completely in his comment at 15:30 (approx).

[@invalide]

love his answer to 24:57

[@steviemac42]

Well looking at that park with that shit lying around, I would be booting the local councils arse out.

[@67philipo]

At 27 mins he goes into pseudo Jordan Peterson territory, but doesn’t have that man’s scientific background

[@67philipo]

The moderator is a parody of herself - obviously an ardent intellectual lefty, grounded in concrete tropes about the world

[@jasonkingshott2971]

Hell hath no fury like a failed, ineffective politician scorned.

[@harrysecombegroupie]

08:45 I'm so glad the interviewer pulled Rory up on austerity, but so disappointed with his deflective, dismissive non-answer. All it would take from him is a simple acknowledgment of the immense harm done by policies he voted for, and my respect for the man would greatly increase. I've never been able to square the humane, thoughtful person he seems to be in interviews with his appalling voting record on social services and environmental issues. Which is a great shame, because there's quite a lot to like and admire about him otherwise.

[@christianecoughlan7392]

Nice, sensible guy. Shame about his stance on brexit

[@heliotropezzz333]

That's what's sensible.

Charlotte has great RP, but my God, she is so homely!

[@BanterRanterr]

Well we had methadone clinics Tories destroyed very successful program

[@tommystevenson2921]

Nicola... . Lol......now we know......corrupt like the rest

[@nevertheguardian3437]

Should Rory Stewart be determined as belonging to the mollusk family?

[@kevinallsop5788]

most Leavers voted to get immigration controlled. The REMAIN side have managed to push this under the carpet and bang on about economics. The pound is remarkably stable and is expected to remain so even under a No Deal scenario. If we do get a deal it will rise by an expected 30% which will be bad for exports. The dollar is falling as are the far eastern currencies due to the global down turn. Carney has predicted a 5.5% hit on GDP on a No Deal - he always over-eggs his figures so lets say 3% - small beer. LSE yield on shares 4.7% a year USA Yield on shares 1.5% Europe yield on shares -0.4% (Yes minus) (Figures from BBC Radio 4 Money Programme) Right - economics out the way. Now lets talk about the elephant in the room - Immigration. The same people who are for open borders and unrestricted immigration under the free movement of people are the same ones telling us we've got to cut our CO2 emissions to zero. Can't have both.

[@greghill7759]

You should demand a refund from Ebay for that crystal ball.

[@67philipo]

At 18:20 he talks about how local family level decision making is prudent and careful and measured, but then argues to sustain institutions, where the the distance between decision makers and those local people, is maximised. I like Rory, but there’s some logical incoherence going on here..

[@davidatkins111]

I don't see that at all, as his desire to change said institutions to bring them closer to the people seems obvious

[@robinjones6999]

Does he remind you of someone else - YES - TONY BLIAR

[@jasonwright6823]

Yes, and Cameron. They all 'play' their audience. Do not be fooled by his affable public persona.

[@Rainex-my7jd]

He talks alot, but what has he ever achieved ????????????????

[@NPC-st7zv]

He smoked heroin, walks through some shitholes and can speak a lot of languages. Has a face for radio and a voice for the circus.

[@therocker1989]

Private tutor to Princes William & Harry while studying at university, after graduating worked for the British consulate, embassy and foreign office in Iraq and Indonesia, walked hundreds of miles across 6 countries over 6 months, learnt 4 languages and was awarded an OBE as part of the Queens Birthday Honours List. All this before the age of 31. Also Brad Pitt bought the film rights to his life story some time ago.

[@vailydragon]

I worked for the left wing Guardian as a left winger from university. What a surprise!! Bye as I am not a supporter of the soy boy Rory.

[@nawny9112]

For Christ sake just leave

[@frederickmiles327]

I really needed binoculars to see this. And then I made it out a mouse. Rory the most insignificant mouse in History. I mean is it some sort of Antonin Artaud play. A Pinter play or even a Beckett. A minor Samuel Beckett play. Rory is so boring and insignificant I suggest Peter Cooks Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer. Really a sex and political manual. Rory should read it. Far too powerful for Rory, but give the bit chance. They elected this man from Berwickshire, as a Tory. They let Rory lose from Eton after six years. He survived 10 minutes in the Black Watch.

[@pax2902]

boring people see other people as boring, ...

[@greghill7759]

I made it right through this interview and was impressed with Mr Stewart's fresh approach and humility, along with his sense of curiosity .... I hardly managed it past your first paragraph.

[@anothercynicalbrit6451]

Rory 'Traitor' Stewart. Go away

[@knutkatastrophe2722]

Clown

[@frederickmiles327]

An attempt was made at Rory Stewart's idea of a rational post war common sense and rejection of the warfare state and the idea of greatness, following the debacle of the Suez in 1956 and the last near senile speeches of WSC that with nuclear deterence Britain could replace war making , shipbuilding and steam engines with clean productive industries and good education. It was very boring, most preferred TV, sex and dog racing and working as little as possible. .. Ultimately in 1982 the Royal Navy, facing savage retrenchment, and fearing a Bennite Government, seized the day, sent the fleet, South.and religitimised war for the world. For Britain it was too shocking and the military was called off and retired so people could only smoke or get drunk. ....Most other nations moved back to thinking about war, beauty and greatness.