Rory Stewart on love for risk, a battle with bitterness and why a political comeback is on the cards

[@randolphscott3361]

I’d vote for him for whatever party he joined. Imagine voting for Johnson rather than this highly intelligent, decent, courageous guy. With people like this man in Parliament, there would be hope!!!

[@davidhallowell9211]

We never needed men of truth like Rory more than we do now.

[@optimistnow7491]

I so admire Mr Stewart - his honesty and integrity - his absence from politics is our loss ,,,,,

[@lenwilkinson672]

A really lovely man,emitting so much humility our politicians need to realise they are devoid of what Rory has, and he is a gentleman the way he debates.Good wishes Rory.

[@alanfaith2986]

I am a former Labour voter. He was my MP in Penrith and the Border. If he stood again as an independent, I would vote for him.

[@catherinerice922]

There is hope... when there are people like Rory... the world is in dire need of good men... men like Rory.

[@wrzlygummidge]

absolutely brilliant, the kind of person (life experience, acquired wisdom) we need at a senior level of government instead of the fawning muppets we currently have

[@suejones4013]

Rory is one of those rare people, these days, a reasonable, rational tory. I love listening to him.

[@waynewal971]

Hey! I will never Certainly never vote tory anymore, but this genuine man in a different party I could relate to. Respect and admiration for his morality, compassion and honesty!

[@NinaGillani]

A man with great integrity. It is a great shame that Mr Stewart is not active in politics. I admire him immensely for talking complete sense.

[@WIllz2GOTA]

Listening to Rory really does ignite something in me, he really does question my own life and how much I am actually living.

[@ajfc2006]

I don't think his extraordinary life (combined with extraordinary opportunity and intelligence to exploit the opportunities) should be thought of as a mean or template for others!

[@mhargz]

@@ajfc2006 to be inspired by other human beings doesn’t mean you want to mimic them…

[@sararichardson737]

@@mhargz i don’t think Will meant to mimic rather (perhaps) to fill his life,possibly physically and intellectually combined with a considerable civic contribution. Am I close Will?

[@midnightwolfee2128]

​​​@@sararichardson737well I'm not Will but I'll agree for him because I was feeling the same way listening to Rory. It is not a case of trying to emulate Rory's extraordinary life but realising how much more we could do to live our own. I have spent too much time just existing/surviving and not enough time "doing".

[@costeris35]

I also admire how honest he is about failure and how willing to try again. I have too often not tried at all because I didn’t want to fail.

[@melisayoung9200]

The best prime minister we never had…. Absolutely extraordinary man. Brilliant, thoughtful and measured interview by Coulson.

[@thePOWERofART-11]

We'd love to have you as PM Rory. Please stand up for what is great about our country. ❤

[@Gunnercoops]

Whilst I don’t always agree with his political viewpoints, I always admire his integrity, honesty and intellect.

[@GolfDeltaHoliday]

As an avid listener of both ‘Crisis What Crisis’ and ‘The Rest Is Politics’ podcasts, this was an fascinating interview and I loved every min. Thanks to both Rory and Andy.

[@crisiswhatcrisis]

Thanks so much for listening!

[@islaystevensoncurrie1016]

Great Mr Stewart, really hope we see you back into politics, our country need quality individuals.

[@thortessem271]

Love your story. I lived in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

[@JohnSalmon]

Thanks for this. What a brilliant man Rory is. Although I'd like to see him come back and sort our politics out, I wouldn't want him to have to swim in the mess made by Johnson and his cohorts. Rory is too good and too nice for that.

[@clivet3252]

Oh give me a break.

[@islandhopperstuart]

Rory's re-entry into politics, nay government, cannot come soon enough. Please, for the love of our nation, make it happen. Rory we need you.

[@rowancrew2934]

Like we need a hole in the head.

[@jackf220]

A lot to respect about Roy's life and achievements, above all I think his modesty is most admirable. A rare thing in the modern world.

[@TerriObrien-mi5rx]

Love listening to Rory and looking forward to reading his new book 📖 total opposite to Johnson should have been PM.😊

[@ahairyhaggis1449]

Rory is a guy that politics needs

[@DavidTothill]

I find Rory Stewart a compelling man and have watched a reasonable amount of his KZbin presence, however this interview had me racing over to Amazon to buy a first book and maybe more. Thank you both for this hour of quality

[@KingCharles3]

The Marches is a fantastic book as is the Places In Between

[@DavidTothill]

@@KingCharles3 Downloaded TPinB a gift at 6€ and note your recommendation, thank you Charlie

[@crisiswhatcrisis]

Excited for his upcoming book 'Politics On the Edge' too! amzn.to/3mtPbdQ

[@mags6452]

Can’t put Politics on the Edge down. An honest Politician is exactly what we need right now

[@emmabovary9374]

He is a pilgrim in the name of humanity. A man of utmost integrity, authenticity and sincerity. Rory, if you ever need another volunteer for the campaign in your next venture, I’m up for it. Nietzsche often warned about the danger of ressentiment. His other saying ‘what does not kill me makes me stronger’ is more encouraging.

[@michaelcassidy1864]

Words are useless when trying to describe this astonishing spirit. But Im grateful to have had exposure to his belief system.

[@G.V.A.K]

Rory, our country needs your contribution more than ever before.

[@jackieharper5520]

Always respected Rory Stewart....even more so after this podcast ...

[@timshaw8187]

A great man with so much insight

[@philipmulville8218]

Rory is an enormously eloquent man.

[@DavidMorris1984]

First time I've watched one of these videos. Had completely forgotten about Andy Coulson until now! I'm on a different part of the political spectrum to Rory Stewart, but I've always thought he's incredibly intelligent and possesses such a wide range of experience that few others will have. He is someone that I'd always listen to.

[@crisiswhatcrisis]

Thanks for listening David!

[@erikatrueman4507]

I really wish you would return to politics. I have voted Labour for a long time, but I would vote for you as PM. I really want someone with integrity and I do believe you have that in abundance.

[@trevorwilliams7754]

Great interview well done

[@kashopejarrett8040]

Well spoken and knowledgeable man

[@HektorBandimar]

I find it fascinating that he has taken up a position at Yale and has moved to Jordan, just like that! I like him, he seems genuine, he is somehow in the position where he can afford to be honest and just do anything he wants to do in life. I wish he would champion a major change in our two party, first past the post political system.

[@photovincent]

This talk made me think many things, most of them uninteresting to anyone but me, but I really sat up when he described the poor decision (with a good outcome) as being ‘thinking in cliches”… yes, that’s what people often do. The “what am I supposed to do” instead of “what shall I do”… the level of this man’s scrutiny of his own thinking is amazing

[@dharmacharinipasadanandi7110]

I'd vote for him in a heartbeat

[@rigilchrist]

Rory's book was a revelation to read. I do hope that he puts himself forward for Mayor of London.

[@TheWeightOutdoors]

I’m a fan of Rory, and not because of his podcast or his (fantastic) book “The Places in between” but because of his hedgehog speech in Parliament, his speech as prisons minister where he offered to resign if he came up short and because he CHOSE to walk away from politics. Our current political setup (all parties) does not support cross party pragmatism, it does not support hard truths, it does not support long termism. It is easy, I believe, to romanticise his walking away from politics but the real truth is that a man of Rory’s position (former private tutor to the royals) would have had a host of opportunities that others would not have had. That being said, regardless of those opportunities, to not be sucked into the vacuum of fear which politics has become still deserves respect. Politicians are, in my opinion, mirrors of ourselves and a representation of what we stand for and at this moment in time our political setup (internships, first past the post, serious media outlet coverage and networks of nepotism) is not in a state to accommodate the style of politician I believe Mr Stewart would be, modern day. I also think it is naive to judge a potential politician on the premise of leadership when said individual sits outside of serious politics as they are afforded such larger liberty to voice truly individual opinion and objectivity. Once inside the “party” vehicle you have so many “stakeholders” and “players” in an environment which changes so rapidly, with a media (and social media) so quick to misrepresent ANY statement that you lose that liberty.

[@TG-hr2kv]

He gets my vote

[@terrybrownbill2175]

Please, please please stand for MP and as PM. You are a voice of sanity in a world of chancers.

[@maryearll3359]

How safe and loved Rory's father must have felt in his arms.

[@jessicaschimmel7398]

What a kind comment!

[@maryearll3359]

​@@jessicaschimmel7398 Thank you ❤

[@martinlawrence8427]

Super interesting and talented guy…a great loss to British Politics!

[@Harrypops]

Wow Brilliant Rory🎉❤

[@chrissie1001]

What an incredibly impressive guy. I listen to his podcast with Alistair Campbell which is excellent and always find him measured and thoughtful. I don’t think he should beat himself up about the Iraq incident. He acted in a way he thought was right at the time - was it a cliché? Perhaps, but staying and fighting it out could also be seen as a cliché. I think he did the right thing. He didn’t know what was going to happen so he took the safer route.

[@clivet3252]

Alistair Campbell is one of the most vile creatures ever to exist on planet earth.

[@24567442]

He lived his life rory and was a fabulous age. He was proud to have had a son like you with all your moral qualities!

[@lorihenderson673]

Don't forget his amazing book about Afghanistan

[@davidduggan3438]

Christ its sad that we got Boris over this guy

[@andrewmakin8151]

i like him a lot a human alive and living no cloud of BS pretending to be him

[@3bebles]

You have to make it more than 50/50! So many are waiting...

[@jackdeniston59]

An example of how our Fathers shape us. When permitted.

[@anthonykelly5]

hes a great human probably to great to sort out the problems of britan.

[@johnpearson-phillips7464]

Refreshing to hear an ex politician looking sagely at assorted issues: avoiding the populist easily digestible narratives of current political discourse and seeking to dig deep. Seems clear to me his perspective is needed in UK politics. and I think he will come back.

[@douglasdunbar2298]

This is a man whom you can trust on hearing him for only a few moments by leaving politics he left a sorry group of politicians who were unable to differentiates fact from fiction

[@demoisellelenina]

British people need someone love them more than love others. i hope he keeps this in mind if he comesback.

[@diannebradley4458]

Oh Rory,just get on with it.England needs you.

[@CloudhoundCoUk]

Rory a return to UK politics. What a good idea.

[@davidkelly7272]

Talked about this very interesting conversation on radio phone in 12/8/23. My positive view not shared by host Alan Beswick.

[@crisiswhatcrisis]

Thank you so much for listening!

[@MajKhoshkhoo]

Once again a great pod cast, however, I found it amusing that Iran was described as a dangerous country to travel in, when it is not dangerous at all considering hospitality of Iranian people.

[@ThosUK]

*doubt*

[@jezlawrence720]

The Iranian people are amazing. The govt, secret police, laws... Yeah not so much. It's a dangerous place even if you know it well - anyone can come a cropper and it's people often do

[@Iguazu65]

Please run to politics. We need brains and values more than ever now.

[@Lif-999]

Rory, your reticence regarding a re-entry into the bear pit of politics is entirely understandable. Once bitten and all that... You, perhaps more than most, will know how much the system [and those who work within it] are biased against a man of your qualities. So, whatever the course of action you decide to take, your light will diminish not one jot. However, I cannot but lick my lips at the prospect. Whatever, the very best of luck.

[@onecupof_tea]

We were so naive about boris, thinking that someone so jolly couldn't be a mendacious, cynical fool. He was like a pickpocket, once you realise you'd been had, he had disappeared.

[@sinamirmahmoud7606]

sharp as a knife as always

[@55north17]

WOW!

[@Lilym661]

The greatest prime minister we never had, sigh.Patricia Norfolk Uk

[@tomthumb2361]

A very attractive figure. But his blind spot sometimes seems to be the relatively parlous condition of people in a lot of our less well-off regions and localities in this country and the connection between their limited trajectories through life and his own richness of opportunity. Credit to him for his initiative and altruism. But I wish I could have afforded to take journeys like his at the ages he did. I spent most of my spare time in the summers of my late teens working to earn my living costs at Cambridge. I remember the college's Master's wife being totally unable to understand why my then-white-collar parents (who started out as factory workers) didn't fully subsidise my education: middle-class American married to privileged southerner meets boy from working family - though not 'working-class exactly by that stage - and thinking he had the same cultural outlook, values, priorities, breadth of choice as her. And I was at the privileged pinnacle of youngsters of my age in the town I was brought up in. I spent my Saturdays in the libraries, book shops and concert halls, theatres and arts cinema of Manchester. I did manage a month each year of training it round Europe - sleeping on a train every other night to cut down costs. But I was unable to stop over in Benelux, Switzerland, Austria, Germany or the Nordic countries as they were unbelievably expensive for me to buy even a lunch in, so was limited to France and Italy and the odd day trip anywhere else. Yet thousands of my peers in my region faced a life of debilitating paucity of experience compared to mine. I was pretty strongly aware that the breadth and depth of personal experience of privileged people is enabled by their social placement, the strength, cultural capital and material resources (my piano was in the same room as the family TV and I shared a room with my brother) of their family and personal connections, as well as their personal qualities. I was also aware how divisive the gap in experience was. Many other other people - nearly everyone else, really - have less chance of developing the kind of growth I experienced and almost no chance of developing the kind of wealth of personal experience of a Rory. In fact, they are pumped along seriously-underfunded pathways that inhibit this kind of growth. Tories like Rory seem more interested in 'abroad' and global issues than they do in the erosion of bargaining power of UK working people, for instance, and their return to near Victorian levels of wage-slavery and insecurity and restricted horizons owing to lack of cash. It's increasingly difficult for ordinary people to accumulate wealth through work as corporations and government alike have set things up to divert so called surplus wealth to share-holders and the already-asset-rich. Rory was, like Mr Campbell, deeply involved with governments that let inequality and house-price inflation, to name but two attacks on the prospects of young working people, get totally out of control. And the blinkers he wears contributed to this, and still do. No one on the right is siding with people who actually work. Neo-liberalism is simply a reversal of many of the advances made in the security and quality of life of working people. It's reached the point where this is only to obvious to everyone except those who benefit from it, each year an increasingly smaller percentage of the population.

[@MeiinUK]

I think it is very unfair to judge his experience, with 2023's eyes... on 1980s. Cos around the time that he was born. He was born in very wild or rural areas. HK wasn't developed, and I think Malaya at that time was quite the jungle as well. Deforestation is what then happened, and high rises and concrete jungle is what happened too. Everything that we see today that is modern, happened within the past 40 or so years. Which is crazy if you think about it. I think his argument about remaining in the centrist point, was because, he doesn't want the UK to lose both, when the entire world is raising in standard of living and are competeing with each other. Hence, why he doesn't want us to lose our position in the world... But what's happened has happened now. So...

[@cavendish009]

I WISH YOU WOULD !! There is NOBODY with any brains in government now - WE NEED YOU !!!

[@stevenhoward3358]

Very interesting. I think Rory would have done a great job as PM throughout C19 and established a better relationship with the EU, I just wonder how long it would have taken for the rest of the tory mob to oust him. I think the Conservative party will rue the day it booted Rory and Dominic Grieve. I still wouldn't vote for them, but at least they have a sense of credibility, reliability and honesty and would generate far less animosity.

[@R08Tam]

Riveting stuff. We badly need people like him in government

[@jezlawrence720]

I would love to hear from someone else from yhat compund and *their* assessment of rory "thinking in cliches". I bet they have a far more positive view of him.

[@mountbatten2222]

THE" PROBLEM" WITH PEOPLE LIKE ROEY IS ; THAT THEY DON´T FIT IN A POLITICAL PARTY.

[@chrisfurniss3073]

Plez come back Rory in labour party

[@fancyfree8599]

Rory wears lots of layers to stay warm in the Scottish house.

[@jezlawrence720]

I had no idea about his fathers death. *Mate*.

[@handcrafted30]

Doooooo it!

[@zulu3621]

Please don’t come back as a conservative.

[@christopherdew2355]

Rory: PLEASE do NOT go back into politics. You are not suited to being boxed into a political stance - certainly not in the two useless parties we have at present. You are a real intellectual, and need freedom of thought and speech (if it's still allowed).

[@mags6452]

I absolutely love Rory but what’s all the gurning about?

[@gwynsea8162]

I suspect it's easier to be a risk taker when you have an Eton background which already suggests that there is money in the background. Being comfortable surely make it much easier to take risk with jobs etc. And I say this as someone who thinks Rory is terrific.

[@chrissie1001]

I actually don’t think that’s true. I think there are brave, intelligent and thoughtful people from all walks of life. Risk-taking isn’t confined to those with rich parents. If anything the opposite is true

[@gwynsea8162]

@@chrissie1001 I do agree with you, it's just easier to take risks when the worst case isn't that bad.

[@sararichardson737]

He was on scholarship

[@jackdeniston59]

Yeah, quite reassuring in fact. This is where someone needs to start to have this kind of life. Mere mortals achieving any success is just as amazing.

[@emmabovary9374]

Eton and money didn’t work for Boris, a total space waster.

[@krisle90]

💜

[@black8art]

As far as I'm concerned, Rory Stewart and Jeremy Corbyn would be a dream ticket if they started a new party to represent the British people, in the manner to which they deserve. Jeremy could make the UK a place we want to live, and Rory would make a good military and foreign office wallah! I'd love to get them together for a long lunch to duscuss "the state of the nation"!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Silly comment. Corbyn is a socialist. Stewart is not. Incompatible outlook on the world on many issues.

[@sararichardson737]

I think A Campbell is on it for TRIP.

[@siobhansmith9575]

I absolutely agree they could at least meet and engage in as civilised aconversation as this one! Both men of integrity, honesty and self-awareness.

[@pjzz2000]

The antithesis of your modern tory - at least those at the top. Set up your own party Rory! At best you may one day the influence you richly deserve and at worst you will pilfer some votes from the current muppet party.

[@lenwilkinson672]

@Willz2GOTA*. I feel the same as yourself regarding Rory.Such a likeable personality.with humility.It’s only my opinion,but I’d like him to stand as an independent in one of the reform party’s or am I being too optimistic..? The BBC should give him a wider audience.Isn’t it in their charter to have an unbiased attitude when broadcasting their programmes,but.unfortunately now white people are gradually being replaced by ethnicity of a culture different to our own, at 93 I shall not be around when they finally lose the licence fee,and they will of necessity have to compete with market forces.They will need to have a rethink on employment and pay to useless gary Lineker types.😊

[@walterstevens8676]

Why does RS grimace regularly? Is it a neurological condition?

[@andrewstorm8240]

Dealing with stress

[@sookibeulah9331]

He’s remembering traumatic/ frightening/ upsetting/ angering/ frustrating events and his face is expressing how he feels about them.

[@beachcomber1able]

​​@@sookibeulah9331 Getting bummed when he was a fag at Eton could do that to you. 🤔😆

[@katelewis5864]

Is that your mum’s knitting in the background Rory? What’s she knitting? Or is it yours?

[@JupiterThunder]

Still craves being PM. Forget it.

[@beachcomber1able]

I think Rory should stand for a Scottish Independence party next time around. Fat chance of that! 😄

[@sararichardson737]

He’s against it.

[@beachcomber1able]

@@sararichardson737 I know that. He's just another establishment yoontard.

[@tamhunter5025]

Would make a great choice for Englands independent movement

[@emmabovary9374]

And have regular tête s tête with certain Nicola, in between her police appointments.

[@jamesmccann355]

Please don't return to politics. There's enough clown's around already...

[@derrick021]

I'm afraid I can't formulate my question in a manner polite enough so please bear with me, but Mr. Stewart is a public person and politician, and he knows he's in front of a camera, so how would we explain the way he keeps his upper lip so violently up at times ?

[@jezlawrence720]

That's just his "think about a memory and find the right words" face. I suspect it's also linked to unpleasant or very emotional memories.

[@derrick021]

@@jezlawrence720 you've stated the obvious, does it make an excuse ?

[@jezlawrence720]

@@derrick021 I wasn't aware it was a problem! You asked how we would explain it, I explained it?

[@alan_davis]

This is the problem with people. The way people look seems to be more important than their intelligence and manner.

[@derrick021]

@@alan_davis or a problem of trust ?

[@saskiamoni1417]

Everybody go and check his voting history why is that poor people give power well educated wealthy people who they have nothing in common I'm so tired of working class people working against their own interests every time try to spoil your voting paper in masses next

[@alan_davis]

You go back and read it... then understand it.

[@robertallen591]

he has no party the nat cs have stole it

[@BebsDotter]

Please don’t!

[@madashell268]

Don’t bother Rory. Anyone who gets on well with the utterly thuggish, brutal, undemocratic Alaistair Campbell is someone we don’t need back in British politics…

[@clivet3252]

Exactly. He reminds me of Blair a bit.

[@CodeCancerLab]

I think it's refreshing, instead of the nonsensical social media politics we see in this country nowadays

[@mychannel5019]

He needs to be the prime minister, for the sake of the union.

[@kerryflote1283]

Still at his plan to be leader of the Tories at the next election but 3. Seems like a decent bloke until you remember he's a Tory (whether he's left the party or not.)

[@bluesteel5688]

Sounds great but a look at his previous voting record highlights RS as a right wing lackey