Keynote Speech by Rory Stewart - The State of the Constitution 2022

Rory Stewart was Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border between 2010 and 2019. He served in government under David Cameron and Theresa May, including as a Home Office minister and Secretary of State for International Development. As a former diplomat, he served on the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees, the latter of which he chaired from 2014 to 2015. In 2019, he contested the Conservative Party leadership against Boris Johnson, before being stripped of the party whip over Johnson’s approach to Brexit, and then stepping down from parliament. Among other things he is currently the co-host, with Alastair Campbell, of the popular podcast 'The Rest is Politics'.

[@eileenwatson9708]

We need more people like Rory in parliament. I fear for the future of democracy in this country.

[@HaggardPillockHD]

I can listen to Rory Stewart all day long. An articulate, erudite politician of our generation.

[@JK-zx3go]

A Tory I can listen too. Always speaks with intelligence, no hyperbole, no lies, just a reasoned opinion. May not agree with his politics but the Tory party needs more of this and less of the rogues gallery running for PM.

[@HaggardPillockHD]

The problem is that Brexit politicians relied on hyperbole and lies to get votes this is the issue. Contrast that with Jeremy Hunt, Rory Stewart, and David Cameron against the current band of Brexit MPs in government.

[@markmoran916]

@@HaggardPillockHD Jeremy hunt if you excuse my French is a hunt.......he like dizzy lizzy has jumped on the brexitard band wagon just to appeal to the dimwit members of the Tory party

[@lmg7503]

Rory speaks with such eloquence and with sincerity. If only more were like him.

[@dulcieogilvie5786]

The only Tory with intelligence and integrity.

[@beammeup8458]

Excellent Rory ! Thank you

[@daiu48]

As an ex MP and minister RS is showing how badly parliament needs urgent reform in order to stay relevant. Yes to PR, citizen assemblies and a serious discussion of universal basic income, given the warning signs of economic decline, pandemic and climate issues.

[@3bebles]

Thank you ALL, but Rory in particular. Thinking of powerful past politicians, they all had a spell of out in the wilderness from politics. Take strength from their experience and come back...

[@scroggins100]

Such a shame there are no other people of perception and integrity in Westminster.

[@yasminanjum3310]

In case people didn't hear it at the beginning this was recorded on 23th June 2022 exactly 6 years after the Brexit Referendum...

[@suzannelooms7658]

Committee hearings work? Really? Patel & Raab just didn't turn up to be interviewed on the Rwanda policy. Examples of ministers treating select committees with contempt.

[@videomillsy]

Comment the hour, comment the man?

[@user-cx8ro1pu4r]

How would you do what you had to do? The government

[@randyschwaggins]

I think if Rory didn't look so much like a Wallace and Gromit character he would be the leader of the Tory party and quite possibly PM

[@DayVid2.0]

Boris looks like Worzel Gummidge in a giant dropped trifle. Rees Mogg looks like a haunted pencil. Michael Gove is like a sentient enema. I don't think it's Rory's aesthetic that makes him unpopular with the braying Brexit loons. They don't take kindly to nuanced and reasoned debate.

[@videomillsy]

@@DayVid2.0 Rees Mogg was described recently by Alistair Campbell as a “mewling pencil”. 😄😂

[@explorer0213]

Rees mogg always appears to me to look like a grown up Harry Potter gone ugly with age.

[@mollycuddle9990]

Love Rory. Love how his mind works. Deep, compartmentalised honest and sincere thinker. Caring realist.. I know this comment is too late but I always wonder if he’s single as I’d love to go out with him. So attractive. xx

[@KloppMichaelBarnes]

Sound mind. He is happily married with a wife and two children!

[@richardcope8102]

Farages & Corbyns audiences were largely self-selecting and leader-supportive ( think fan clubs ). They held deep attraction but only to a tiny minority. Maverick Tories were needed to deliver on Leave for Farage. #politics

[@lutherblissett9070]

It's almost certainly impossible to conduct several thousand public speaking engagements and only speak to supporters, and I think the appeal of those two individuals was not to an insignificantly tiny minority but a quite significant section of the population, probably 20% each.

[@richardcope8102]

@@lutherblissett9070 if you compare Farages march with the Remainer march ( who had no overall leader ) Farages active supporters were negligible. I agree that Corbyn had strong support, maybe at your suggested level, but neither leader was powerful enough to enter Government honestly & through the front door. #politics

[@wilfredtackie2351]

One nation One people One destiny But this is not what we see from the modern politician. The modern politician sticks strictly to magnetism Like poles repel

[@johnnycomelately6341]

Unfortunately 1814 sound quality!

[@suzannelooms7658]

Sunflower oil? What are you talking about? Ukraine was regarded as the bread basket of the world, which is why it was targeted by Hitler & Stalin. Currently 6th largest producer of wheat. Fertile soil, ideal for grain.

[@videomillsy]

And sunflower oil as well. It’s not either/or.

[@upendasana7857]

Ukraine is the largest producer of sunflower oil in the world,together with Russia they produce 50%of the worlds supply...there you go...think the man knows what he is talking about

[@andrewmarcham5808]

I’m

[@jasonkingshott2971]

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

[@Overtime123]

You clearly don't understand the quote or you haven't watched the interview.

[@jasonkingshott2971]

@@Overtime123 I clearly do.

[@Overtime123]

@@jasonkingshott2971 Then your powers of deduction are in need of refinement…

[@jasonkingshott2971]

@@Overtime123 Thanks for your suggestions, however, you look after your powers of deduction and I will look after mine.

[@bryangeake5826]

.....pointing out facts is scornful behaviour??? Or is it more a case of 'Hell have no furry like a Brexiteer presented with inconvenient facts'!!