Rory Stewart's brutal analysis of Boris Johnson after the Partygate report | LBC

Boris Johnson's actions show he is "dangerous" because of his persistence in challenging "everything that's supposed to protect us against politicians", the former Conservative MP told James O'Brien.
Listen to the full show on Global Player: l-bc.co/ListenNow
#jamesobrien #borisjohnson #partygate #LBC
LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.
Join in the conversation and listen at www.lbc.co.uk/
Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: l-bc.co/signup

[@stevegibbons7452]

I’m a labour voter, however, I have a lot of respect for Rory Stewart. The UK would have been a lot better if he was the prime minister!

[@tobiasmccallum9697]

He is far too intelligent, and far too unrelatable to most. To the rich he's a geek, to the poor he's a posh Tory Which is a shame as he's one of the most talented minds in British political life

[@georgejob2156]

I'm left of centre but I have great respect for Rory Stewart as I read Political science , doesn't diverge from my respect.. Johnson dragged our country and democracy in the dirt. He needs jail.

[@benghiskahn3673]

I was rooting for him to win in 2019. I knew he wouldn't...... but he was by far the best candidate for a calm, thoughtful and competent leader. I have some issues with parts of Rory's voting record, however, he really is leagues ahead of every other 2019 and 2022 leadership candidate in terms of being a decent human who is willing to tell hard truths and exhibit real leadership qualities. And it was for these reasons that he was never going to win the leadership contest... The fact that he espoused a sober and measured assessment of the direction of Brexit during the 2019 leadership contest was enough to seal his exit....

[@alanhat5252]

He would make a brilliant political journalist but as a politician he's just another Small State Thatcherite which is definitely not what we need at the moment.

[@neilfeder4625]

Same. I listen to him and Campbell weekly. There are people who you can ideologically disagree with, without tearing each others eyes out. Something we've lost in totalitarian Brexit Britain.

[@susiestephenson7214]

Love listening to Rory Stewart. Never thought I’d say that about a conservative!😮. Honest ,decent and highly intelligent.

[@alayneperrott9693]

Rory Stewart is a highly intelligent and thoroughly decent man. I'm not a Tory, but Parliament is definitely worse off without him.

[@ENTERJAYKASHI]

With the tories 80% so us are worse ... NHS worse off, police worse off, education worse off. list goes on and on. Then you add the weekly scandals.. these people are just untouchable criminals.. like the tory MP who suggested a company that didn't exist until 5 days after she suggested them for the covid vip Lane, her & her family made 69 million which affectively was tax payers money.. in the real world that called fraud but she's a tory MP so it's ok.. I've truly had enough of this fake democracy

[@frederickmiles327]

One often wonders what kind of ivory tower that Rory Stewart lives in. Of course the same sort of righteous political position is usually maintained on this issue by Gove and in the past Edward Heath and Hailsham from perspectives light years apart maintained the same sort of almost farcical hold on the moral high ground despite feet of clay out of either blind ignorance or a stronger nerve than Boris in Hailsham case. I mean Douglas Hurd was at Eton in 1947 and presented himself as a Christian.

[@jrphartley]

...and you are a silly child looking for someone who seems like a daddy to make the nasty wasty world nwicey nice again.

[@nik-ev3eh]

@@frederickmiles327 can't really think of a worse Christian than Jacob Rees mogg,he kinda sets the standard.

[@Leitros-kj4qb]

Yes and add Dominic Grieve.

[@PaulSmith-mh2yq]

Rory was my MP. The best we've had in many a year. I really admired him when he chose to leave politics rather than serve under a Johnson led government.

[@verystripeyzebra]

He had the whip removed, and didn't stand as an independent in the 2019 election. He was a cabinet minister in johnsons government.

[@spacebound1522]

@@verystripeyzebra You're wrong. He was Secretary of State for International Development until 24th July 2019 under Theresa May, and resigned from the party on the 3rd October 2019 and announced he would stand down as an MP at the next GE. He has NEVER served in a Johnson cabinet.

[@verystripeyzebra]

@@spacebound1522 yeah. I remember seeing an interview with him, and he wax going to see loser Johnson about his posting. Obviously he thought he should be in the middle East as that's his expertise, but loser Johnson assigned him Africa. So it may well be loser Johnson had that responsibility as foreign secretary. I just assumed it was when loser Johnson was pm.

[@davekelley4076]

Do you seriously think Theresa May was a better bet than Boris. LOL (yes, it's BORIS btw). You are so thick.

[@clivet3252]

How come he had no problem with Cameron?

[@TheCloudhopper]

Rory Stewart is a Conservative voice worth listening too regardless where you are at. A very realistic view of the world with a lot of common sense.

[@MrBizteck]

Do you listen to his pod cast with .... Alicaster Campbell Tony Blairs guy. Its a great listen.

[@OneTrueScotsman]

There's nothing about him worth listening to. Christ, you liberals will take anyone home to bed, who isn't unhinged right wing, won't you? His voting record is abysmal. Worse than Boris Johnson. He's a full on Thatcherite who'd have to poor back in workhouses.

[@jimwright1148]

No tory is worth listening to.

[@freshwaterspaceman7194]

His voting record is a fun read.

[@TheCloudhopper]

@@jimwright1148 Then you do have yet to learn how politics work.

[@matt_cummins28]

Fascinating interview. I'm not a Conservative supporter, but Rory has always struck me as an extremely decent human being and his perspective on this - angry, for sure, but measured - is extremely welcome. Because it was so calm and collected, and because you touched on areas - like respect for parliament - that haven't been covered enough, this helped me see the full scale of Boris's attempted attack on our democracy. Thanks both.

[@alfching2499]

There is no such thing as a decent human being if your a Tory.

[@rodneylowe9526]

​@@alfching2499 possibly decent human beings dont make such sweeping generalisations. Unless youve met every Tory of course?

[@jackb5640]

​@alfching2499 and in that statement, you yourself have proven you are not a decent human being.

[@janeharmsworth5572]

This weedy little man is a joke!!!! A staunch leftie remoaner with very little conservative values

[@danielward7008]

He's part of the remoaner establishment. They'll never forgive Johnson for taking us out of the EU.

[@colinwhite5355]

Every time I hear Rory Stewart speak I find myself doing two things. 1. Agreeing with him. 2. Thinking, ‘Why is this utterly decent man a Tory?’ I do the same thing with Matthew Parris.

[@chatham43]

...but what is the alternative for them Colin?

[@Rendell001]

We tend to think of Tories as simply Thatcherites these days. Once upon a time (Before 1979) Conservatives weren't nearly as reactionary and in fact there were many working class Tory voters. That all changed after Thatcher was elected.

[@RobTriskele]

I felt the same way with Tracey Crouch. It was her party she aligned with and her stance on brexit that made me not vote for her. Other than that she was a pretty decent MP

[@Wilko601st]

My toe nail clipping has more morals than boris

[@OneTrueScotsman]

Because he's not a decent man. Don't listen to what he says. Look at how he's voted on bills, to tell you what sort of man he is. His voting record is abysmal. But because he's portraying himself as an "educated man", neolibs will take him home to bed, because they don't care about policy, only style.

[@SoundtrackAudioCom]

Rory Stewart personifies everything we expect from our politicians. Whether you agree with his political policy opinions or not, his integrity shines through. He really should have been PM and we'd be in a much better place if he had. Can we please start voting in more decent politicians like this.

[@modestyblaise5895]

The parallel between Johnson and Trump is uncanny.

[@emmabrooker166]

Both disciples of Steve Bannon.

[@michaelflinn7784]

They are two poos in a pod

[@danmayberry1185]

​@@emmabrooker166Yes, the populism coach who returned from Eastern Europe in '15 to give Trump the autocrat's playbook. Each self-absorbed reaction by Orbán, Bolsonaro, Boris or Trump has been predictable. As soon as people become leery of the press ("MSM"), and steeped in nationalistic nostalgia, any buffoon can lead a country.

[@mythologue]

The connection is narcissism. We have a lot of them, they just seem to be the two loudest right now.

[@mufccharliemufcglazersout]

Both yanks with blonde hair

[@JayJay5244]

Can you believe they picked BoJo over Rory? I think if he was in charge Britain would be a lot more stable…

[@beatts19]

Nope. Should have picked Ed over Dave.

[@pippipster6767]

I think Rory’s best calling is that of a priest - far too saintly for my liking.

[@Lasquez111]

😂😂😂

[@lestrem11]

Nobody wants someone who tells the truth running the country, that is why Starmer is seen as having a chance.

[@markr8650]

Absolutely. Rory has morals

[@rodcurrieclassics8102]

This man is everything that Boris isn't. Thoughtful, empathetic, emotionally and intellectually mature, intelligent, resilient, humble but made of real steel. Read Rory's books. He walked across Afghanistan ALONE during the really dangerous years. This is quite a man and its our loss that he's no longer in politics.

[@kingfibber]

Except his voting record is Tory to the bone.

[@Tellemore]

It’s such a pity there aren’t more people like Rory Stewart in the UK political circles.

[@Arltratlo]

on the con side....but most of them are criminals anyway!

[@newblackdog7827]

Oh there are loads of people like Rory who’d be delighted to sell out the U.K. to the EU in a heartbeat!

[@seanduffy5177]

They were in parliament until Johnson purged them

[@tomaddie1969]

So, who are 'the criminals' in your terms.? You must specify and back up what you are alleging. Otherwise you are just 'ranting' to no purpose whatsoever.@@Arltratlo

[@ZTTINGS]

There aren't because the electorate don't vote for them.

[@markelmslie6832]

A Conservative who can engage in a normal conversation!

[@glennwhitlock1272]

Yes. A clear sign of intelligence. The ability to debate topics with people who may or may not agree with you and maintain civility. Unlike the loud, brash politics of Donis Trumpson

[@alanhat5252]

Yes, it was reasonably common (obviously far from universal) until Johnson kicked them out.

[@danielharvey8498]

🧐🤫

[@derektejan-sie5736]

A first!!

[@thisismetoday]

Rare breed

[@stevelondonse23]

I used to work as a mental health nurse, and spent years working with people with a dangerous and severe personality disorder. We used an assessment tool called the Psychopathy Checklist. From what we know publicly, Boris would score highly on the tool: Lack of empathy, superficial charm, impulsivity, unable to accept responsibility, narcissism, repetitive infidelity, parasitic (living off others), grandiosity, blaming others and failure to learn from experience.

[@jennyg-uf1uo]

Shame we can’t section him.

[@DaveW-zi2jv]

Well said. I'm a band 6 crisis mental health nurse and I totally agree with everything you said. He is a dangerous man.

[@stevelondonse23]

@@DaveW-zi2jv As soon as he got the leadership this was, in broad terms, entirely predictable. His record was there for all to see. Now we just have some of the remnants of his reign - some of the most incompetent MPs ever to be in cabinet. And it will take decades for the UK to recover from the destruction he has caused.

[@susanmorgan3104]

Absolutely agree 👍🏻 💯

[@DaveW-zi2jv]

@@jennyg-uf1uo Absolutely, and a Forensic section of 37/41 with no Home Office agreed leave either.

[@kevinfitz8516]

I am an Irishman and not a fan of posh English politicians but Rory Stewart seems to be a different breed. Maybe its his Celtic blood that makes him palatable for me. He seems so level headed and erudite and of course speaks the truth.

[@grahamhall2662]

It's so refreshing to listen to a sane adult conversation for a change.

[@ThomasKing19933]

Boris literally breaks every rule that everyone else has to follow. It's total insanity.

[@arctic_haze]

He did this even while still at school.

[@cameronclarkhull]

And yet nothing will happen to him

[@jakefield7702]

What's even worse is how it came to this and this pathetic excuse for any primate was allowed to get to the top and those that cheered (and still do) him on.

[@rockets4kids]

Not really. The rules have never applied to the rich and powerful.

[@HShango]

@@jakefield7702 listen, have anyone thought to ask why did some the voters think this primate was somehow PM material honestly...it's weird. Bozo has no class, no respect, he's morally bankrupt and my goodness the dude doesn't understand what it means to lead a nation and how to run it. He drove the UK off a cliff permanently

[@battyman1526]

There isn't much to choose between any of them. Boris is what he is but the people who have stood by him deserve the biggest condemnation. They continue to find a twist to defend him when they know him for what he is.

[@user-pw6ei2mn7x]

Best comment 🍀🍀🍀

[@nickrobinson7096]

As did the electorate

[@sirmeowthelibrarycat]

😠 Indeed, and a knighthood as well for the Victorian hat stand 😡!

[@monkey39128]

It's because he's an election winner, and he's the only one they've got right now. Look at Blair, complete reprobate but he was protected because he was an election winning machine. It's all about power and how to retain it. The entire House of Commons is rotten to the core.

[@USVIsteve]

It’s remarkable, and I continue to be amazed at how similar Trump and Boris are And what they’re doing to their respective parties.

[@erushbass8326]

They are both the greatest leaders of the 21st century. Pretty low bar though.

[@matthewn1805]

👍

[@sadjaxx]

And how they are both betraying their countries.

[@tonyjeevar6565]

@@erushbass8326 great leaders hold power. These idiots lost power.

[@csharpe5787]

​@@erushbass8326nonsense.

[@myke1914]

I wish I could move to the alternate universe where Rory won the leadership race instead of Boris

[@RE-ng5uw]

Wouldn't that be something. I routed for him at the time and was devastated when Boris was chosen

[@zaftra]

lol

[@daisyl2629]

Room for one more? I’d like to live in that Universe too.

[@myke1914]

@@daisyl2629 the more that goes on the more I feel it. He should go for mayor of London and build up from there.

[@johnbyrne6631]

Johnson is part of a wrecking class that think the rules don't apply to them

[@yamuis]

Stop calling him, Johnson, by his first name only. It makes him too familiar, too friendly, too somebody who can sit at your dinner table tonight.

[@JayJay5244]

I don’t respect him enough to use his last name though 😂

[@yamuis]

@@JayJay5244 Let's call him him.

[@MiningForPies]

They don’t call him by him by his first name. They call him by his middle name, which makes it worse.

[@angusthekat]

Boris isn’t a familiar name for me. I’ve grown up with plenty of Daves, Winstons, Mohammeds and Hiteshes, but no Borises…

[@MiningForPies]

@@angusthekat the point has nothing to do with his actual name and how common it is

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

Indeed Rory Stewart should have been PM,I’m a Labour voter but really admire Rory ❤❤❤

[@simonturner1]

Starmer-Labour or actual Labour?

[@evertonfrancis640]

Johnson, Trump et al don’t realise that their jobs are to serve the people and not themselves.

[@charlesfaure1189]

They're perfectly aware of the job description. But psychopaths don't believe in principles or in the interests of others. It ain't ignorance, it's just old-fashioned evil.

[@Jailhouse_Chris]

That's not the job of a Conservawtive politician

[@arronstone177]

Spot on Rory. As usual.

[@jeffsimon9594]

Who? Oh that little freak..

[@tinasmith8151]

don't forget Boris is a total narcissist , so it shouldn't surprise people he is only out for himself. Stop giving him airtime. That is the only thing that will get to him , and that is no airtime. while the media keep him on the front page , in his head everyone loves him. Dont forget he is a narcissist. HE will never be wrong .

[@user-bg9ws7ys4k]

Precisely....turn off the media platforms, ignore him and he will hang himself or do somethingawful and can then beputaway...unfortunately the media lives off him and he always knew it.

[@GaiaCarney]

The Narcissist's Prayer That didn't happen. And if it did, it wasn't that bad. And if it was, that's not a big deal. And if it is, that's not my fault. And if it was, I didn't mean it. And if I did, you deserved it. - by Dayna Craig

[@cyrilclark5167]

Rory Stewart's thoughtful and honest assessment says it all for me. No more to add.

[@davidjohnston3058]

It's a shame there are not more Rory's in politics today. We need calm, sensible and coherent people running the country.

[@jsc5492]

Rory S WAS in British Politics until 2019 when he resigned from the Conservative Party after having been a Card-holder for years.. After holding a post in Ms May's Government - which applied the Brexit (albeit for two months). He's now making a comfortable career as lecturer in top American Institutions and as a consultant.

[@toadintheh0le]

If Rory had won the leadership contest, the Uk would be a very different place today

[@howardosborne8647]

One man,no matter how competent,can't make up for the other dead wood on the Tory benches.

[@obscurazone]

Sadly not. Every single leader the Tories ever get is nothing but a placeholder for the Corporate lobbyists. Even though I agree with Rory here, you only need to delve into his voting record to see that they all tow the same despicable line.

[@owenjoseph7648]

@@howardosborne8647 That's Redwood

[@alanhat5252]

I suspect he would have selected his Whips for muscle & they would have taken each ERG member individually into a quiet corner & instructed them on proper behaviour. Beyond that I think the general Thatcherist policies would have remained.

[@toadintheh0le]

@@obscurazone I always felt he followed the whip. Whilst of course he's still right wing he has always come accross a genuine politician if such a thing exists

[@Angela-en6oh]

I think Rory Stuart really should have been the PM instead of Johnson. He has always come across as a thoughtful and honest person who recognises the wider picture pertaining to situations. He may have been a “remainer”, but he would have lead the Tories in a much more constructive and positive way through the early days of the brexit fiasco. And I say this as someone who has not voted Tory and was appalled at the referendum result.

[@alanhat5252]

Thoughtful, indeed often incisive, & honest yes, but he's still a Small State Thatcherite. The general principle of government non-interference is something I like but the Thatcherist way of doing that is to shut down all State institutions in the assumption that "The Market" will ride to the rescue. The non-interference model I see working is to set up & resource _properly_ a full set of State institutions & _then_ stop interfering.

[@benlowe1701]

​@@alanhat5252 The thing about Thatcherism, is that its at least a means to an ends. Even if the means and ends are horrible - and they are. I think the ideology is horrible. But its at least ideological. For better or worse. What is *Johnsonism* ? What's his ideology? Does anyone know? He's a withered husk of a man. Thatcher was a ghastly woman because of what she wanted to do to Britain, but even at her worst she did what she did because she looked at Britain, decided she saw something wrong with it, and embarked upon her plan to change it to her image. Which, I stress, was a horrible, twisted, cruel image. But Johnson? He is a withered husk of man, empty of anything except a will to his own power. He wants to be PM not to change anything, not to achieve anything, but purely for the purpose of being PM. And maybe to enrich himself and his cronies. I can't even define what it is about Johnsonism in the way that I can pick apart Thatcherism, because he doesn't stand for anything except himself. Thatcherism, you can hate because of what it wants to do. You can hate Thatcher, for *doing* Thatcherism. Johnson? Doesn't even have that. I think that makes him worse.

[@davekelley4076]

LOL who would've guessed you were a bitter remainer> Ha Ha,

[@gortmundy01]

Its a shame, because i quite like this guy, but he's still a Tory. And the Tories are vile.

[@NealyLL]

@@davekelley4076tragic it is your position .

[@Alexander-uj5pb]

Rory Stewart, just like George Orwell is, is one of the few decent human beings to have been schooled at Eton.

[@maryj5593]

I have tremendous respect for Rory, not just because he has called that narcissistic psychopath out. He's a decent human being. I could love him more if he wasn't a Tory

[@kevingeoffreydunn9864]

He shouldn't be let nowhere near the houses of Parliament and definitely no where near the levers of power.

[@magicanimalfish1029]

He shouldn't be let anywhere near the Houses of Parliament either....

[@andy_ppp]

Turns out the lack of EU to fight against means the breakup of the Tory party 😂

[@TimesFM4532]

Not complaining don't mind two party politics without the tories

[@tobiasmccallum9697]

​@@TimesFM4532How's the country going to be "mended?" Eg how are we going to increase our budget via a bigger economy?

[@TimesFM4532]

@@tobiasmccallum9697 by growing the economy unlike how the tories have allowed stagnation and decline

[@tobiasmccallum9697]

@@TimesFM4532 Perfect, how specifically do you increase the economy? You need more successful businesses yes? Which British businesses make loads of money? Is it all the ones the left wing hates? Banks / corporations / big business.. Neither Tory nor Labour have the guts to tax Google and Amazon, so tbh I don't see how we attract more businesses until we CUT corporation tax for small businesses and help them compete with multinationals How do we achieve this? I'm an economist and have thought through the issues deeply. There are a couple of (possible) routes, looking at other countries examples. But France still has her African empire, that's how it makes money (controls currency in 14 countries). Germany is better at engineering than us. Italians are more stylish. What do we contribute?

[@TimesFM4532]

@Tobias McCallum it was Boris who said f*k business and who where begging the government to stopped the paperwork at boards. The Biden plan stragic investment in climate tech. We have so much wind, hydro and sola capacity we can become a energy supperpower making energy cheap for business and a large potential export market of equipment Labour also plans on devolution power to local government and making them responsible rather then some white hall bureaucrat to deliver local needs which helps business.

[@markwalker4142]

I’m a labour man through and through , but Rory Stewart always impressed me .

[@Paul-dv4dr]

If we were led by people with Rory's intelligence, integrity and wisdom we'd be a much better country.

[@5888max]

We well you could always vote for them rather than Idiots who pander to your prejudices ,ignorance and greed . However that doesn't happen and we will now have a Labour Government spending and taxing even more then this bunch of clowns, until someone convinces the Public that it's time to start spending other peoples money on something else

[@lawrencew3703]

Omg he’s as interesting as a wet weekend

[@ahippy8972]

Your point is interesting but boris has a much lower iq and has no political training or knowledge. Eddie izzard is a great personality but great personality does not equal political knowledge, honesty, economic training etc. Also find a pm or President with as many illegitimate kids as boris. Did you know he’s Turkish genetically and born in America? That upbringing does not make for a staunch English politician. It makes the opposite. Look what he said about Turkey his motherland, when they tried to join the eu? A man with absolutely no loyalty to his own nationality should never have been voted as a mayor , and look what happened there? Guess you probably don’t know, but seriously someone with no loyalty to anyone, not his country ie Turkey or NYC , no loyalty to any of his illegitimate kids, or ex wives, or working girls etc, ( didn’t you people notice he made his latest 35 yr younger bleach blond lass wear scarlet to show her as a scarlet lady to other folks from public schools, I’m a public school / phd grad before you call me out. Please give your side with more information I’m willing to listen to anyone with valid points...

[@yourdasellsavon9928]

@@lawrencew3703probably the problem that we’ve had people like you voting for interesting people rather than actual politicians

[@curlyken01]

But Johnson didn't want people of intelligence, integrity and wisdom around him, he wanted corruptible yes men, that's why Rory was amongst the group of Tory MPs who were kicked out of the party.

[@kevingeoffreydunn9864]

This man should be splashed all over the news the papers for what he is a currupt and dishonorable man what a disgrace. For what he done to this country he should be in jail along with the rest of his party he's really showed this country up

[@barrieroberts75]

Splashed all over the news???? How the he'll do you think Boris got power it's the 1% owned MSM who got him into power

[@chatham43]

...sadly for you and many here....we don't live in a police state...😊

[@sy2see]

Thing is, if we put Johnson in jail we would end up paying for him through our taxes.

[@chrisnash6992]

@@sy2see We're paying for him anyway - the investigations into Partygate and all that has followed since will have been paid for by the taxpayer.

[@kevingeoffreydunn9864]

Yeah never thought of that.

[@ronstriebig2749]

A psychopath narcissist is very dangerous

[@jamescaley9942]

Pyschopathic leaders are those who led the country into wars, not those who had a few drinks in downing street.

[@chatham43]

....but it gets you a position at LBC though..

[@ooTheRustySheriffoo]

But not as dangerous as someone who is also Machiavellian; to which Johnson most definitely is. He therefore possesses the dark triad of personality traits and therefore should never have been allowed near a senior parliamentary role.

[@kurtsmith2547]

Yeah always thought that too about him. Strange little man

[@Mark13091961]

The depressing thing for me is that all these traits were well known about boris years before he stained British politics, yet people voted him and and his ilk in

[@5888max]

Indeed tells you all you need to know, a country gets the leadership it deserves , and oddly not only in a democracy.

[@agnescraig2912]

Hope Cameron can have a glass of champagne

[@ArchieFatcackie]

Rory Stewart was too honest to be a modern day politician, he totally described Johnson to a tee there. I wish there were more like him on both sides.

[@HShango]

Rory has turned a new page, stay independent dude. Do not go back to Tories.

[@chatham43]

...definite article required...and if you want your posts taken seriously...refrain from using the term "dude"...😊

[@davidcarr2216]

Let's not just blame Boris - he's not an outlier and he couldn't have done what he did alone. People backed him and put him into power and supported him through thick and thin. That makes the entire Parliamentary Consevative Party culpabable. Unfortunately, everyone will soon forget this fact - that's if they remembered it to begin with.

[@nlewin5072]

Absolutely -and as Rory Stewart said, most of them have been rewarded with honours.

[@reinerberridge6112]

What a shame this man is not heading the party. I have heard him speak on many occasions and he impresses me every time. He calls it out as it is, he comes across as honest, trustworthy and clearly has the moral fibre that many of his party are short of.

[@Rory626]

Best Tory Prime Minister we never had

[@geoffmeakin8669]

Rory? Is that you?! 😂

[@cosmosadorabilis7677]

He's terrible.

[@barryjohn6101]

Rory the spliff still bitter he lost to a clown

[@phillydavison]

His voting record says otherwise.

[@bg1616]

Peppa pig anyone? Has anyone been to Peppa Pig world

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Boris Johnson is the literal definition of Failing Upward.

[@a-borgia4993]

Rory, you are missed in parliament and in the public eye.

[@Zoltanlouis2009]

"Lack of decency" and "immorral".... that's Johnson put perfectly

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Spot on assessment of Boris Johnson ! Complete waste of space !

[@davidchamberlain5425]

Boris is a native New Yorker👍.Real Pity he fecking well didn't stay there🙄👍👍👍

[@chatham43]

....thanks for that bombshell...😊

[@CloudhoundCoUk]

Rory is spot on. Prison for Bojo and hard physical labour for life. All Bojo and family financial assets are to be seized. Including offshore. British territories refusing to cooperate lose offshore status. All tax havens become illegal. Retrospective financial assets sent offshore to avoid UK tax are to paid. Prison if you do not or cannot pay.

[@hyksos74]

Deport him back to the US - he can share a cell with the Orange one.

[@chatham43]

...credit for maintaining a straight face through all that....😊

[@davekelley4076]

What an utterly CRETINOUS comment. What vile ignorant lowlifers there are amongst us. Lord help anyone with such a tiny brain.

[@vhawk1951kl]

Little Rory is simply a bad loser motivated by spite- he is an embittered little creep and his opinions as worthless as the findings of the kangaroos that twisted and turned to get revenge on St.Boris, but all they have done is strengthen the support for St.Boris, as those that conspired to pervert the course of an election have strengthened the support for St. Donald.

[@botany500kojak]

Just imagine if the fat scarecrow had brought the UK to war on lies over WMD? He would have surely been given the death penalty.

[@dp0004]

Rory is accurate with his words and is as close to the truth as any human can be. His knowledge and wisdom is more valuable than many people realise.

[@tdtm82]

I feel sorry for Rory. He knew what would happen and no-one listened and he couldn't do anything about it. Boris only thinks about Boris. The best move for Sunak is to distance himself from Boris and work on the current crises but he's not aware enough due to his privileged life. We're doomed.

[@Foxy-gw3np]

And not for Sunak to back stab Boris and to call Liz a dizzy blonde. Seems like being a brownie and being rich to feed all his cronies and forcing the country to adopt diwali the festival of sound surely plays no part in this. Surely.Just saying as these points seemed to be missed on all you migrant loving munchies

[@MrCsifan55]

Listening to this interview if you hadn't mentioned Boris's name I would have thought you were talking about Donald Trump. These two men have so much in common and both have cheapened democracy in both countries.

[@beatrizcristinagil5273]

They share the same illness.

[@eddieobrien1411]

I’d never vote for a Conservative,but I’d vote for Rory Stewart. He just needs to represent another party

[@cosmosadorabilis7677]

You need to check his record 1st. This man hates the poor and minorities.

[@vincentwhelan475]

I agree Eddie👍

[@annemoncrieff3875]

He's now an independent.

[@robertcottam8824]

​@@cosmosadorabilis7677 Really? He's always seemed like a decent bloke to me. How did you get to know him?

[@verystripeyzebra]

Er, fine he speaks like a nan who undoubtedly supports our democratic institutions and conventions. But at the end of the say he is still a tory, and his voting record proves it. So fine, our institutions would be safe in his hands, whilst unleashing tory policies on the country.

[@user-is1us2ly7j]

Rory Stewart- A politician who always appeared to hold a lot of humility and carried a lot of consideration on politically sensitive matters. Something noticeably absent with the egos and arrogance in parliament today, (on both sides).

[@peterbalchin9077]

"...Boris Johnson in addition to trashing Parliament, insulting the Courts is basically trying to take the conservative Party down with him .." Strong words Rory.

[@user-gu5kk7wr5q]

So why do we allow Boris Johnson off the hook? Why is he not held to account his disregard for and rules which all other MP's follow.

[@andyhutley2857]

We as a collective have no say in Boris's punishment without breaking the law ourselves, the MET police have shown no intent on handling him properly and if anything did it would be reliant on the courts to act accordingly and make him face the same standards as all of us, but I have no confidence in any of them ever treating him the way he should be

[@glennwhitlock1272]

Yes, it's a painful pill to swallow. Now, if everyone wrote to their MP about this travesty, who knows?

[@noramartin96]

@@glennwhitlock1272 They don't reply, save yourself a stamp

[@glennwhitlock1272]

@@noramartin96 ha! You might be right. Though, I emailed mine (saved on the stamp) about something or other and he replied relatively promptly. Then he resigned over inappropriate behaviour with a staffer.

[@abbersj2935]

Who is we? johnsons judges are in many ways, his own kind, so repercussions for johnson are never certain. tory voters don't care either, they just hate any other party.

[@tracyschaub1187]

A serious respectful decent human being ..

[@kingfibber]

Except his voting record suggests differently

[@tracyschaub1187]

I do not think he had a choice .. he speaks about it.. they would have kicked him out.. which they did eventually anyway😮

[@piccalillipit9211]

*RORY STUART IS AN AMAZING MAN* He has walked across Asia, he started a charity on the ground in Iraq, he was a professor at Harvard, he built a school in Afghanistan, he was a regional governor in Iraq, he was a diplomat, he was MP, a Govt Minister, ne now runs a charity, and I have forgotten most of the things he has done. I dont agree with his politics [though I think they are changing] but BOY do I admire them man.

[@raqueldobson1]

He certainly comes across as the least corrupted or corruptible Tory party member…

[@sundaramirtanandha7058]

Rory is an honest Tory, they have all but disappeared. Sadly the British Public have a government they deserve. Popularism is what they wanted and thats what they got. I pray for change.

[@kingfibber]

Honest? Check his voting record

[@neilritson7445]

They didn't. A Minority voted for him in our system. Don't blame the 'people'.

[@Iguazu65]

Fascinating discussion. Many facts mentioned that people have long forgotten.

[@mistydong68]

ALWAYS had the UTMOST Respect for Rory. A thoroughly DECENT and Intelligent man.

[@halosoundandvision924]

i Used to think Rory Stewart was a bit of a chinless wonder until I read about him after he left parliament and couldn't quite believe what he has achieved in his life and took his family in a lit of it too! A classic example of never judge a book by its cover! And immensely intelligent of course too.

[@linmorell1813]

Rory is terrifyingly accurate on Johnson

[@quickclipsbyjmj]

Brutal? I think you mean honest.

[@gerrypowell2748]

All of this condemnation ought to have happened long before he sat for high office,the Boris virus continues unfortunately its mutated😷😷

[@randomdaveUK]

There was condemnation back then, but the public ignored it. Called it scaremongering...

[@Eprosis]

In fairness to Rory, he did try to stop Boris and was summarily kicked out the door for his efforts.

[@beaulieuonnp593]

Well said Rory. Yes got it right about Johnson again

[@nlewin5072]

Rory Stewart: The best Foreign Secretary the UK never had.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Liz Truss is worse than Boris but it's very close and shows what a sorry state the country is in.

[@daniwalmsley611]

Tbf to Truss, she was an idiot, not evil

[@chrissilver7719]

I heard an argument saying Johnson will go down as the worst PM ever. They dismissed Truss as being too minor influence who will simply be forgotten about but Johnson on his watch Brexit the pandemic and the demise of his government will be too incompetent and corrupt to overlook.

[@joemorris1282]

​@@daniwalmsley611She's declared her exit from the PM job as being down to the "Wokerati". I think he's worse than just your average idiot.

[@JackHGUK]

​@@daniwalmsley611 hmmm idk about that, kwateng got exactly what he wanted and I can't believe there wasn't rampant disaster capitalism going on during her budget presser.

[@johnmurray1044]

@@JackHGUK what a bit of Liz.

[@user-wg7ww9lq1i]

Rory Stewart for PM

[@stevepoole5694]

I wrote to Mr. Stewart soon after he resigned. I am not a Conservative voter, but I have a lot of respect for him, & for any Conservative former MP who resigned because of the dishonesty of Bozo the Clown. It's called consensual politics & is essential in a properly functioning democracy. I am sad that Mr. Patterson is no longer in frontline politics. We could do with more decent people like him in political life. I wish him well & all success.

[@veeday1146]

Rory is always worth a listen. His podcast with Alistair Campbell is one of the best for showing that sanity and tolerance is still alive in Britain, as they fight against the madmen and women.

[@kingfibber]

Check his voting record. Tory to the bone.

[@richardthomas9839]

Rory Stewart...the only guy who talks and behaves in a way that might just be able to persuade me to vote Tory for the first time in my life!

[@VoidDragon82]

I have a couple of ex-friends who have fallen into the quagmire of right wing conservative politics. They blames the "others" for the failings in our country, have disdain for poor people, hate blue collar workers, think they're entitled to things. The crazy part is that we all came from working class families, we were fortunate to get into uni and afterwards were able to stand on our own feet. They were never held back by these elusive "others". And yet they all voted Leave, and think Farage, Johnson and Trump are one of them; they pinned the badge, wore the hat and proudly joined their cults. Whereas i still stayed progressive/left wing, but started to distance myself from having any extreme views and tried to bring a bit of balance into my opinions. These cultists are odd, so very very odd.

[@beverlyhitchon4901]

Rory Stewart, the only honest politician and tory at that! I've always had great respect for Rory, we need more people like him in polotics! He's bang on about Boris!

[@infidelcastro5129]

Rory Stewart is simply too decent a human to have made it as a tory.

[@chrissilver7719]

😂😂😂 its uncanny the similarities with Trump, being the architect of their own demise while claiming they are the victims of other peoples vendettas . When it was all self inflicted wounds.

[@lindabennett6597]

It's no coincidence that both men used the term "witch hunt " within hours of each other

[@chrissilver7719]

@@lindabennett6597 ironic that 2 guys with entitled privilege and a rather questionable attitude towards women fail to see the crass use of the term. I guess we should not be surprised.

[@davidgaskin5417]

I was a conservative party member when we were voting for a new pm with all the candidates available in 2019....I was very much impressed by Rory Stewart and wanted to vote for him. I allowed myself to be influenced by another member to cast my vote for Boris for virtually the same reason " Boris is a winner"....to this day I really wished I had stuck to my original decision.

[@honzawill]

Big hug to You James and Rory. Thank you for that hard work you are doing for us all.

[@Serifinity]

Rory would have made a great PM

[@edwinlambley2801]

Rory the-very best prime minister we never had.

[@kevinnolan1339]

Yet.

[@g.pmoore4293]

But surely Mr Corbyn's first name is Jeremy

[@chrstnldg6652]

John Smith?

[@edwinlambley2801]

@@chrstnldg6652 Great shout 👍

[@kingfibber]

Check his voting record. Rory tells you what you want to hear.

[@linmac1686]

Lying to the Queen with his mate Smug

[@susanmathews8916]

Well said Rory❤

[@theweatherman1874]

Thanks JOB and Rory Stewart,everything I ever thought about Johnson clearly laid out for all to absorb.Cheers

[@benlane6881]

When Rory talks it’s always worth a listen. Considered, articulate and a thoroughly decent guy. Bright as a button. When I think of some of the grifters in the Tory group out there flying Johnson’s flag I’m always reminded of what the country has missed in not having Rory sat in parliament. I’m a lifelong Tory supporter who can’t wait to put my tick in another box which is a shame as my local mp is alright.

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

Above all, and above all else, he lied to the Queen. How on earth can he ever be forgiven for that

[@glynjones5280]

At least this Tory speaks some truth

[@ArtyFactual_Intelligence]

That's why he's not in the party anymore.

[@chatham43]

@Glyn Jones....meaning you agree with him...which isn't always necessarily the same...

[@kingfibber]

Yeah - right. Check his voting record. Actions speak louder than words?

[@powderedground78]

@@kingfibber I see you're commenting this everywhere, so I will do the same. He's actually admitted to getting some of his votes wrong and how he would vote differently now. Tories are whipped, which doesn't help. Just look at what happened when he did rebel. I think anyone (especially a Tory) to be honest and decent enough to own up to mistakes, deserved to be heard.

[@glynjones5280]

The pertinent word is SOME

[@firstlast-tf3fq]

90 days off work and not having a membership of a social club... Thats not exactly much of a punishment is it? I'd get a worse punishment than that for not paying my council tax

[@tompiper9276]

90 days off work from a job he's quite. Really?

[@Funbundle44]

I've never voted Tory, but I will NEVER understand why this bright, intelligent, straight-talking, pleasant man didn't get the job of leader of the Tories. He's head and shoulder above, in fact, TOWERS above both Johnson and Sunak. And to think people voted for Johnson "because he made them laugh" is ludicrous! For God's sake, what has that got to do with the serious business of running a country? In fact it's rather proved that it doesn't! I totally agree with him about John Major, who knew what it was like to be poor for a start AND valued Parliamentary democracy. In fact, with the Tory party having veered so far to the Right and with it being in such a sorry state, I suspect Rory is probably no longer likely to vote Tory.

[@kevinbull9284]

'When, O Catiline, do you mean to cease abusing our patience?...' Marcus Tullius Cicero.

[@nigelfaulkner5449]

Angela Raynor was spot on when she called Boris "a pound shop tRump".

[@chatham43]

....one of her few coherent utterances.

[@patriciawhite619]

Thank you James and Rory.. a very interesting conversation..

[@Daisy-yq1gi]

Rory Stewart is the kind of Conservative that we, the people, can deal with.

[@chatham43]

....and you speak for the people daisy...much appreciated.😊

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

Yeah, and how many fookin' Tories are like Rory Stewart?

[@kingfibber]

If you want to know what Rory really stands for check his voting record. Tory to the bone.

[@linmac1686]

Well if you are struggling to find someone as immortal, look at his supporters, family, daily mail and all the companies paying him to do speeches which probably is riddled with lies.

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Ha - nothing probably about it, he couldn't lie straight in bed !

[@JelloTypeR]

As immortal? My word I hope he’s not. He’s done enough damage in his 50 odd years on the planet. If he’s immortal he’ll bring about the apocalypse.

[@jamesbarbour8400]

@@JelloTypeR true !

[@tomleader7054]

Historically the current situation to me has echoes of Charles I deciding that Parliament can be ignored. That led to fun and japes throughout the land, as we learnt at school. Come on you Ranters and Levellers all!

[@jimcraig6523]

Nothing Boris does is "chaotic". Like his bumbling unkempt "lovable" personal persona it is all contrived for maximum effect to keep him in power no matter what. He has no discernible principles other than his own self interest and is an opportunist capable of moulding and seizing such opportunities. He can recognise and put in place a team which will be beholden to him and at the same time allow them to think they control him. He is a disciple of Nicolo Machiavelli confirming the view through his actions Johnson's politics have always been played with deception, treachery, and crime.

[@sassandsavvy007]

I could listen to Rory all day. My question would be is there any chance to get the UK back to safer waters. Watching from the continent, it pretty much looks like a situation that got completely out of control which may very well change the future system of the UK in a very unhealthy direction (trying to put it in polite words).

[@steveh1023]

Rory Stewart. You must get back into parliament asap. We need people like you, great guy!

[@ChadDippyDora]

Rory is the most rounded and capable politician we have. His breadth of experience is incomparable and his knowledge, intelligence and judgement is better than any in parliament. Come back Rory and clean the swamp and make us great again. By the way, I’m not a Tory.

[@johnthompson2543]

There are many politicians over the years,decades who have earned the tag of “ best Prime Minister we never had” but Rory Stewart really is the one who got away. The venality of Tory MPs and the Tory membership denied this country of a path to stability, power and influence with their infatuation of Johnson.

[@linmac1686]

The 1922 Committee were weak as they allowed him to stay and cause more damage last Summer. People need to stand up to him, only the Conservative woman in Cameron’s Party did, can’t think of her name, when she told him to ‘shut up’