Rethinking the future of conservatism | The life and philosophy of Rory Stewart

Rory Stewart discusses his kafkaesque experiences in the British government cabinet.
What form does wielding power take?
Watch the full talk at iai.tv/video/the-life-and-phi...
Once neck and neck with Boris Johnson in the leadership race for the Conservative party, Rory Stewart sought to blaze a new socially liberal trend within conservative politics. But how did he come to his political philosophy, and more broadly, his philosophy of life? Now Stewart co-hosts with Alastair Campbell the podcast The Rest is Politics, and has written a critically acclaimed book entitled ‘Politics on the Edge’. In this interview, Stewart explores ideas on heroism, compassion among conservativism, and how meditation helped form his spiritual philosophy. Isabel Hilton hosts.
#politics #conservative #government
An award winning writer, foremost politician, and chart-topping broadcaster, Rory Stewart is one of the leading political figures of his generation. His career kicked off as the deputy governor of the Maysan province in Iraq during the 2003 invasion. He later authored an award-winning memoir of his time in Central Asia. He was then elected to be an MP where he was Secretary of State for International Development. Following his withdrawal from frontline politics, Rory has launched The Rest is Politics podcast with Alastair Campbell which is regularly the top political podcast in the UK.
He is interviewed by Isabel Hilton, the founder of China Dialogue and a regular political commentator.
The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! iai.tv/subscribe?Y...
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Dismal picture of British state
02:40 Boris Johnson and the civil service
04:15 Yemen
08:00 Foreign policy
10:30 Ministers are nobody
12:15 Politics is about bold gestures
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[@TheInstituteOfArtAndIdeas]

Is it possible to effect change from within the political system? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
To watch the full talk, head to iai.tv/video/the-life-and-philosophy-of-rory-stewart?CZcams&

[@richardoldfield6714]

I'd vote Rory Stewart in as Prime Minister in a heart-beat.

[@richardoldfield6714]

In the United Kingdom, ministers typically do not have the direct power to hire and fire civil servants. The responsibility for managing civil service personnel falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission and the Civil Service Department. I'd be interested to know if Rory Stewart thinks that ministers should have this power.

[@contentsniffer]

We need Rory.

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

divine unity before government / democracy

[@BlueInk912]

Algorithm bump. I love Rory.

[@leeFbeatz]

❤ I wonder

[@johningham1880]

So basically Yes Minister without the humour?

[@Non.Nobis.Domine]

Rory for Prime Minister.

[@jamesm5809]

Rory’s diagnosis is pretty severe. I can’t get my head round the fact that he’s given up on politics.
I don’t know why he didn’t challenge again for London mayor.
Is he really satisfied with being Alistair Campbell soundboard and teaching the odd class at Yale?

[@homewall744]

The answer is easy: power corrupts. Rulers are evil. Be free instead of being the slave of rulers.

[@sophitsa79]

Power dynamics exist everywhere, in every relationship

[@richardoldfield6714]

This is a meaningless and abstract sloganising.

[@Philip-gn8wx]

God has made His decision... The whole world lies in wickedness.✝️

[@woodrocknetwork7507]

There is no god. Religion is false.