I have always been somewhat ambivalent about the Conservative politician Rory Stewart. On one level, as an Eton and Oxford-educated Tory, he embodies the sort of privileged life that seems distant from a more ordinary existence, yet in other ways his public statements sometimes imply a more genuine connection with the common person. Reading his memoir Politics on the Edge describing his experience in politics and parliament, I’m again struck by the same dichotomy.
Stewart in the early years
The first part of the book covers his career leading up to running for parliament. He refers to his time in the military and active service in the Middle East (especially Afghanistan) and his subsequent service as a diplomat. He talks fondly too of time in Afghanistan setting up “belt and braces” relief and aid work. All of this is a very unusual mix of experience to later bring to politics.
Stewart talks frankly about the vagaries of seeking selection as a candidate for a relatively safe Cumbrian constituency, one of the most rural in the country, and his early experience as an MP. On social media, Stewart often provokes polarised debate when talking about social issues, with detractors claiming that what he often says is at odds with his hard-line voting record with the Conservative party. His account of his early days as a backbench MP casts light on this, explaining the pressures that back-bench MPs face from the whips.
Back bench rebellions
Stewart claims that previously, many back bench MPs were happy to be elected to serve their local constituency and had no ambition to higher office. As such they were free to vote purely in their constituents’ best interests and were immune to threats that a vote the wrong way would be career-limiting.
Stewart opines that more recent politicians are much more ambitious for higher office and hence far more susceptible to threats from the whips’ office. He describes a period (which he clearly didn’t enjoy), where he and others were essentially voting fodder for the whips, told how to vote on each bill and amendment, and were admonished for challenging this.
He describes two moments of rebellion. In one, he had to vote on an amendment which would impact mountain rescue teams in his constituency. To avoid disciplinary action from the whips, he humorously describes sitting in a lavatory cubicle during the division so as to be registered as an abstention. The second was far more serious. Early in his career, he was approached by George Osborne over David Cameron’s bill to reform the House of Lords. If he voted the right way, he’d be offered promotion. Stewart rebelled and was consigned to the backbenches for some years as a result.
The challenges of higher office
After his period in exile, Stewart describes his eventual promotion to Under-Secretary and subsequently Minister of State in various departments. Several things stand out for me.
When he worked with several colleagues as a diplomat and relief worker, he had free-flowing and cordial working relationships. Meeting those same ex-colleagues formally as a minister puts constraints on the relationship. He also describes the skirmishes with civil servants and several incidents reminiscent of the BBC sitcom Yes Minister. Stewart also reveals his frustration, both as an MP and minister, at how he wanted to get things done but the process of government seems to hamper this. His description of being reshuffled roughly every 18 months and trying to get to grips with an entirely disparate role also demonstrates frustration and futility.
A forthright judge of character
In the introduction Stewart promises that he will leave some colleagues mercifully to history, whereas with others he will be voluble in discussing character and behaviour. He definitely delivers on this promise. Interesting is his take on Prime Ministers.
His first assessment is of David Cameron, who became PM in the year Stewart was elected to parliament. Stewart contrasts admiration for Cameron’s relatively deft management of interpersonal relationships with a perceived lack of backbone and principle (Brexit referendum anyone?). Stewart’s verdict on Theresa May is more positive. He clearly perceives May as a more principled and substantial politician.
Not yet prime minister at the time, Liz Truss was Secretary of State and a Cabinet Minister, Stewart’s boss, while Junior Minister at the Department of International Development. Stewart recounts that “her genius lay in exaggerated simplicity” in the new style of politics which demanded absolute loyalty with little room for scepticism or critical thinking. Perhaps his most negative comments are about Boris Johnson, who was Stewart’s boss when Foreign Secretary. He details Johnson’s desire to be popular, his contempt for detail, his wayward promises. Stewart is particularly scathing about Johnson’s decision to attend a party in Italy at a villa owned by the Lebedevs, an invitation which Stewart himself received and rejected. Perhaps there is a whiff of sanctimony in his writing, but his indignation is clear too.
Rory Stewart on the edge?
I struggled with the title of Stewart’s book. It’s called Politics on the Edge, yet to me, Stewart is about as establishment and ‘unedgy’ as one can get. I did get the sense though that Stewart’s desire to make things happen and professed reluctance to conform to the system may often have frequently put him into uncomfortable places, so maybe this is what he means.
Rory Stewart’s memoir is an engaging read. On completing it you may feel the same question arising that I posed at the outset. Is Stewart the wholly principled guy he purports to be? Whatever you decide, the memoir is a fascinating insight into the realities of current politics.
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