The Lemon Fool

I am sure Rory Stewart is quite well known as an ex MP and he has just published a book describing his time as the MP for Penrith and the Border, as well as being a junior minister.
It is well written with what I would think is a good account of the workings of government as seen through the eyes of one such. He is not shy with opinions of his colleagues either. In all a good read for anyone interested in politics.

Dod

I should add that although he was only involved very peripherally with the great departments of state, it is no wonder that things do not change much. Rory was probably one of the more enlightened ministers and yet he was only in any one office for 2/3 years before being moved on to an entirely different area. The civil servants run the place.

Dod

Dod101 wrote:....he was only in any one office for 2/3 years before being moved on to an entirely different area.

To me this is one of the most ridiculous aspects of our govt system.

Rory Stewart is a strange chap, surprising that he got elected in the first place let alone into a govt post. Cameron apparently was not keen on him. Always interesting to read these insider's accounts of govt.

V8

88V8 wrote:

Dod101 wrote:....he was only in any one office for 2/3 years before being moved on to an entirely different area.

To me this is one of the most ridiculous aspects of our govt system.

Rory Stewart is a strange chap, surprising that he got elected in the first place let alone into a govt post. Cameron apparently was not keen on him. Always interesting to read these insider's accounts of govt.

V8

Re Cameron, the feeling was I think mutual. He was clearly a very good constituency MP and I suspect that he was a lot more conscientious than many MPs. Another interesting bit of the book is how the Conservative Party chooses its candidates but you really need to read the book. I find it fascinating.

Dod

Dod101 wrote:

88V8 wrote:To me this is one of the most ridiculous aspects of our govt system.

Rory Stewart is a strange chap, surprising that he got elected in the first place let alone into a govt post. Cameron apparently was not keen on him. Always interesting to read these insider's accounts of govt.

V8

Re Cameron, the feeling was I think mutual. He was clearly a very good constituency MP and I suspect that he was a lot more conscientious than many MPs. Another interesting bit of the book is how the Conservative Party chooses its candidates but you really need to read the book. I find it fascinating.

Dod

There was certainly a widely circulationg rumour that he was MI6, or if not, Walter Mitty.

MI6 is possible as his father was part of that at one point. Obviously he is not going to say on the book
Dod

Dod101 wrote:MI6 is possible as his father was part of that at one point. Obviously he is not going to say on the book
Dod

"Some have suggested that Stewart was an employee of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) during his time as a British Representative to Montenegro – allegedly being recruited to MI6 shortly after he graduated from Oxford University. Stewart has said that his career progression and his father's work for MI6 might "give the appearance" that he worked for MI6, but says he did not work for MI6 while a diplomat. Stewart has acknowledged that due to the Official Secrets Act, even if he had worked for MI6, he would not be able to admit it." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Stewart

Nimrod103 wrote:
There was certainly a widely circulating rumour that he was MI6, or if not, Walter Mitty.

or both?

He did not do well in his leadership bids, so his fellow MPs clearly did not think much of him.

One MP supporting Mr Stewart claimed he had been "let down" by "thieving, mendacious, lying" colleagues who had switched.

mc2fool wrote:

Dod101 wrote:MI6 is possible as his father was part of that at one point. Obviously he is not going to say on the book
Dod

"Some have suggested that Stewart was an employee of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) during his time as a British Representative to Montenegro – allegedly being recruited to MI6 shortly after he graduated from Oxford University. Stewart has said that his career progression and his father's work for MI6 might "give the appearance" that he worked for MI6, but says he did not work for MI6 while a diplomat. Stewart has acknowledged that due to the Official Secrets Act, even if he had worked for MI6, he would not be able to admit it." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Stewart

https://order-order.com/2023/09/22/rory ... a-profile/

Accused of editing his own Wikipedia entry (presumably to make it sound better), which I gather is not exactly cricket, to use English parlance.

If Nimrod is referring to Rory Stewart I cannot think of anyone less likely to polish his own image.
Dod

scrumpyjack wrote:

Nimrod103 wrote:
There was certainly a widely circulating rumour that he was MI6, or if not, Walter Mitty.

or both?

He did not do well in his leadership bids, so his fellow MPs clearly did not think much of him.

One MP supporting Mr Stewart claimed he had been "let down" by "thieving, mendacious, lying" colleagues who had switched.

He didn't do well, and I'm not surprised about that as he was probably the best candidate!

I have a lot of time for Rory, and during his leadership bid he came over as thoughtful and rational but not "showy" - he also happens to be a rather interesting person. I don't think that type of character does well in leadership contests.

Arb.

Arb is absolutely right I thinkRead the book. I not on commission!
Dod

Dod101 wrote:Arb is absolutely right I thinkRead the book. I not on commission!
Dod

I might do that - it sounds an interesting read.

Arborbridge wrote:

Dod101 wrote:Arb is absolutely right I thinkRead the book. I not on commission!
Dod

I might do that - it sounds an interesting read.

I was not particularly suggesting that you should read but it is an interesting read. I was advocating it for those doubters. The very idea of Rory Stewart polishing his own image is just a nonsense I am sure. I have read a couple of his other books as well and it builds a picture. You know what I am like about culture.

Dod