Rory Stewart -Independent

The Lib Dems overturned a 16,000 Tory majority in Chesham and it was a lot to do with Londoners moving out. Patterson's seat is North Shropshire so there might not be so many Londoners there.

Apparently the Lib Dems are worried about the next GE because they think that disaffected Tory voters, won't vote Tory but will stay at home. It would be good if the people that we hear about on here could bring themselves to vote LibDem.

Many Conservative voters will never switch to Labour but will vote LibDem. I wish we had some sort of alliance with them, especially with Labour no longer having a foothold in Scotland.

MayBee70

Even if he could win as an independent I don’t think he’d want to be part of a political system that has Johnson as its leader. It’s sad that so many decent Conservative politicians feel that way.

It would depend if he believed he could face the "cruel world of politics" to challenge Johnson's verbosity - which sadly the cap-doffers seem to like, seeing Johnson as some both above them and something special

He would, I think, get cross party support in the country. As I say, though, I would want to know a more about his actual politics.

OK if not Stewart. - who?

I’m not bothered as long as it is a person integrity that sends a clear message to the sewer, that their behaviour will not be tolerated.

The reason I plumped for Stewart is because it will almost certainly remain Tory unless there is an alliance of anyone left of the Tories. He seems someone of integrity bit I admit his voting record is very dodgy.

It has to be someone who has the spine to stand up to Johnson and not tolerate any corruption.

I think he is not as good as he appears to be superficially. He has an aura of being very civilised, but he supports hunting, and that is enough to make him beyond the pale for me.

Even if he could win as an independent I don’t think he’d want to be part of a political system that has Johnson as its leader. It’s sad that so many decent Conservative politicians feel that way.

growstuff

I'm not a fan either Visgirl. At heart, he's a Tory and that's not going to change. On the other hand, that seat is Tory and the hearts and minds of the voters aren't going to change either.

I'd like to see an anti-sleaze contender, to send a clear message to the government that people do care how they're governed. However, I think it needs to be somebody without a history of party membership. "One issue" candidates can win seats, so it has to be somebody who is squeaky clean and can't have any dirt thrown at him/her.

Agree

I'm not a fan either Visgirl. At heart, he's a Tory and that's not going to change. On the other hand, that seat is Tory and the hearts and minds of the voters aren't going to change either.

I'd like to see an anti-sleaze contender, to send a clear message to the government that people do care how they're governed. However, I think it needs to be somebody without a history of party membership. "One issue" candidates can win seats, so it has to be somebody who is squeaky clean and can't have any dirt thrown at him/her.

As an Independent MP he's not going to be high profile, just a backbencher hopefully if he gets in a good one. I expect the seat will stay blue.
Tbh Lord Mayor of London is on a different level. I think that's still on his wish list, keeps his name known, doubt that dream will come true.

Obviously he has a fan club on GN, I'm not one.

I would vote for him. It would be a refreshing change to have someone with integrity.

lemongrove

Iam64

The point of Stewart standing is he isn’t an MP so can stand. He is popular with many people and has integrity

My point is that he is out of politics....and is hardly popular anyway.

But it wouldn't take much, if he decides he wants a new challenge, which as an independent MP he would have.

I think he's more popular than you seem to think. It depends whether he can find the financial backing in time. I wouldn't rule it out. He raised £5000 in 42 days to support his bid to be London mayor. I think more people would chip in this time.

Iam64

The point of Stewart standing is he isn’t an MP so can stand. He is popular with many people and has integrity

My point is that he is out of politics....and is hardly popular anyway.

Stewart did an interview with the New Statesman a couple of months ago.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/2021/07/rory-stewart-road-again

It sounds as though he's disillusioned with party politics in the UK, but interestingly he said this about running for London mayor again:

"Is he tempted to run next time? “Yes, very. But I have to work out how. It would be easier if Sadiq is not running again.” Stewart has done the maths: he had 60 per cent name recognition and says he needs 90. “I need a scandal!” His voice goes high again, gripped by the absurd. “A big scandal!”

Well, there's certainly a big scandal now!

The point of Stewart standing is he isn’t an MP so can stand. He is popular with many people and has integrity

What’s the point of Stewart standing? He isn’t an MP, hasn’t been one for about two years and is working in the US.He has left politics and the UK.
Whoever is put up in the constituency I imagine a Conservative will win, as Paterson won with a large share of the vote.

I liked him in 2019 when I hoped he would be elected PM. The problem was he did a couple of silly promotion clips and a tie thing on a televised program. That aside, he is very intelligent competent person, a lot better than those who have been in power the last two years.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.