Rory Stewart. News night tonight....

I've read a couple of his books and found them very interesting.

I'm not a Conservative voter though I do very much like Rory Stewart.

I first became aware of him from his parliamentary speech on hedgehogs while he was Environment Minister at Defra

www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Rory+Stewart+hedgehogs+speech

An absolute joy to listen to somebody who speaks with flair,authority and knowledge (with no notes or auto cue) and in stark contrast to the usual huffing and puffing that goes on in The House of Commons.

In my view, we lost a PM of real integrity and stature when Rory lost the leadership race. A sad tragedy for the country.

He was mocked in one tv programme, tie and selfie, in which I felt they didn’t do him justice and maybe turned people off him.

I first came across Rory Stewart some years ago after hearing him on Woman’s Hour talking about this book. The interview was fascinating. So much so that I bought the book. www.amazon.co.uk/Places-Between-Rory-Stewart/dp/0330486349?tag=gransnetforum-21

It’s well documented worried if you care to look the subject up.
That doesn’t mean that very plain people can’t do well, talent and hard work will always pay off, but they will have a harder time of it.

True true. And any leader has to have a media ‘image’. It’s bad but it’s how things are. Agree with galaxy Johnson has a carefully crafted image. Not the same thing but again is designed to appeal to voters. Maybe Rory (look I used his first name!) needs an image ‘maker’ (wrong word I know )

Galaxy

I dont want to objectify anyone but I think he is attractive

To hell with looks, I think he's nice to listen to which to me is more important.

I wish I'd seen it. Really like Rory Stewart and wanted him to win. I wonder if Newsnight is on iplayer? Must go and investigate.

*I think it does matter ( his looks are against him.)
On a sub level of consciousness looks do matter, which is why attractive people generally have an easier time getting ahead in the world of work, finding partners and making friends.* Well that explains how the drop dead gorgeous Boris Johnson does it then, although I always think he looks like he's a bit sweaty and sweaty just doesn't do it for me.

Polarbear2

I’m going to be controversial here… but honest… do you think it’s because he’s not pretty enough?? Really?? In this era of personality politics do you think the media would have shredded him for not being what is generally thought of as attractive? He’s smart, intelligent, has integrity, is cool even, but not pretty??? Does it matter? It absolutely shouldn’t of course but does it matter - to the masses??

Polar I think it does matter ( his looks are against him.)
On a sub level of consciousness looks do matter, which is why attractive people generally have an easier time getting ahead in the world of work, finding partners and making friends.

I was very sorry he lost the leadership battler. Seems a nice intelligent man who has seen a lot of the world. And there's a picture of him squatting down in Downing Street to talk to Larry. What's not to like?

I think he won because of a carefully crafted image, which is a slightly different thing.

I think that some are Ladyleft ?

?? well he seems to keep attracting women doesn’t he!? Doesn’t appeal to me at all.

Are we saying that Johnson won the leadership contest because of his good looks...

Galaxy

I dont want to objectify anyone but I think he is attractive

I remember Robin Cook saying ‘my face is against me’. Having said that I find Rory attractive and have done ever since I saw him in a programme about the borders and then read up on his history. He has so much more about him than Johnson. I’ve never voted Conservative but he’s someone that could tempt me to do so because I feel I can trust him. He’s one of those people that I feel that, if I bumped into him whilst walking the dog I could have a jolly good conversation with.

I heard him speak once "in the flesh" so to speak. He did talk a load of nonsense

To be fair, maybe it wasn't his area of expertise and he hadn't been briefed properly, and I do think he is an honourable man and we'd have been a lot better off with him in charge.

Far superior to the chosen one. Mind you most people are.

I am not even a Conservative but I liked him too.

No. Neither do I. It’s hard to ask a question like that without sounding horrible. But, is it a valid thought? Actually he does have a certain something… ?

I dont want to objectify anyone but I think he is attractive

I’m going to be controversial here… but honest… do you think it’s because he’s not pretty enough?? Really?? In this era of personality politics do you think the media would have shredded him for not being what is generally thought of as attractive? He’s smart, intelligent, has integrity, is cool even, but not pretty??? Does it matter? It absolutely shouldn’t of course but does it matter - to the masses??

I liked him and I don’t believe he was given enough air time. An honest person who would have done good for the country with his military background. Forget the selfie and tie episodes.

I would like to have heard more of him. Emma Barton's interviewing style annoyed me. She shares the 'interruptive' (my word) style with several of the Today programme's interviewers, tending to insert her own interpretation of what the interviewee is expressing.

Rory Stewart is that rare thing, an honourable politician. I agree, he should have won that leadership contest. Pity he didn't. We are so in need of honourable people in politics now.

Polarbear I so agree with you.