Rory Stewart -Independent

Absolutely agree with you.

Absolutely- or Dominic Grieve.

It would be a way of getting back decent people with integrity with conservative leanings.

Good idea

I’m not the only one there are a lot on twitter saying the same.

Unfortunately, Labour has decided not to stand down, so he wouldn't have a clear run. He might still win though.

If I lived in the constituency, I think I'd be very tempted, even though he's still a Conservative at heart and I don't agree with all he says.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Pretty stupid of Labour - whomever has the strongest chance to win against Cons should be given clear run!

Yes, he talks sense and comes across as very genuine. I think he lives in America at the moment.

I really wanted him to win leadership of the tory party. ....

I think that Labour would probably like to run their own anti-sleaze candidate.

I’d be pleased to see Rory Stewart as an independent candidate in Paterson’s constituency
I’m not sure what Labour should do. Maybe some believe they could win, providing the put the right candidate up.

Agree. Rory Stewart should stand. I've read his books!

Ooh that would be great. He always seemed intelligent and full of integrity.

growstuff

Unfortunately, Labour has decided not to stand down, so he wouldn't have a clear run. He might still win though.

If I lived in the constituency, I think I'd be very tempted, even though he's still a Conservative at heart and I don't agree with all he says.

It's early days growstuff. They might change their minds if they thought the candidate thought somewhere along their lines. I'm not sure (because I am not an LP member) what they would think of Rory Stuart.

He is in a job in America at the moment.

Kali2

Pretty stupid of Labour - whomever has the strongest chance to win against Cons should be given clear run!

Not stupid at all. Why would they give a Conservative in a different coat a clear run. I think he would have to explain exactly where he sits politically. I like the man but have no idea how he would describe his politics.

I think Labour and the other parties should put forward candidates. This is very different to standing aside when the previous holder had been murdered. The electorate should have a choice of candidates and it's up to them to decide who to trust.

MaizieD

I think that Labour would probably like to run their own anti-sleaze candidate.

Doing so in an area they have very little no chance of winning, makes no sense at all.

Ousting Cons in that area would be hugely significant and have a great effect!

I have a lot of respect for Rory Stewart, and I'm not a Conservative supporter. A real gentleman with integrity in spades.

I am not a Tory voter but I’m always impressed with Rory Stewart. He is honest and has integrity which is seriously lacking in many members of Parliament.
He lectures at one of the Ivy League Universities and is intending to live in Jordan with his wife and family.
He was reported to be tired of politics and is looking forward to a new chapter in his life.

Devorgilla

I think Labour and the other parties should put forward candidates. This is very different to standing aside when the previous holder had been murdered. The electorate should have a choice of candidates and it's up to them to decide who to trust.

In theory, I agree with you, but in reality, there are constituencies where people don't have any choice. I live in one of them. The Tory MP has a majority of over 27,000 and she's useless. I can't see her hanging on to that majority in the next election because she's not that popular, but she'll still win.

If we were placed in the same situation as Paterson's constituency, I think there would be an appetite for voting for an independent (probably centre right) MP. I'm not sure Rory Stewart would be independent enough, so somebody with a reputation for integrity but not connected with a political party would be needed.

We already have a district council run by non-national parties after the Conservatives were defeated in most areas.

Mind you my real preference would be an alliance candidate, but it doesn’t look likely.

So Stewart, although I have quite a few misgivings, seems preferable to another full blown Tory.

As an aside his first name is actually Roderick . .so he is rod stewart