A fresh approach to British politics. Very well written. Someone from outside the establishment telling it as it is. Many politicians don't come out well.
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For: Very well written, engaging, and full of insightful anecdotes. Against: If you believe these anecdotes, Rory is a powerless pawn in a bigger game. I honestly believe he's a decent chap. But as per my title, I suspect he either wasn't the man for the job, wasn't man enough for the job, or he's portrayed himself as a victim. Ambitious Etonians - give me a principled mongrel any day. The whiff of inherited privilege pervades the book, and was no doubt more than a little responsible for his opportunities.
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Rory is undoubtedly a very good writer, is that down to Eton and Oxford? I have bought two more of his books. He seems very honest but did not win the final arguments. Despite his analysis that Boris was not very honest and basically agreed with the last person he spoke to he failed to get that argument across as for that matter did a lot of other people. History is the judge. Truss had weaknesses which the Conservative Party was simply not made aware of but that was not mentioned at least in this book . A great read though short on final conclusions history it seems does that. We await the next episode with the rise of farage who as I write this leads Starmer in the opinion polls.what will be the final verdict on that. Another book please Rory.
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Excellent read from a honest politician.
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I always thought that Rory was a good guy. The first time I saw him on television, I instantly warmed to him. He never sounded like a Conservative politician to me! His life prior to politics was exceptional. After Eton, he spent a year in the army, and he was a diplomat in Indonesia, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. He did a two year walk across Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Nepal and wrote a best-selling book about it. He ran a charity in Kabul and was an academic at Harvard University. That’s a brief summary. One thing you can say about Rory is that he always gives 100%. He didn't just do the job, he ‘went native’. In his first term as an MP, he learned the ropes and missed out on promotion for defying the whips on one occasion. He is often scathing about his fellow MPs. His comments on Boris Johnson are particularly sharp. There are many superb anecdotes. Here’s one that tickled me, campaigning in Cumbria, he writes; “I began to notice that if a house was filled with books, the occupants would not be voting Conservative.” In his second term, he was given the first of several ministerial posts. He set about his roles doggedly. He was criticised as a minister for being too much of a civil servant and not enough of a politician. This may be true. I'm not sure. He was seemingly passionate in every ministerial role, especially regarding prisons. He visited many, spoke to governors, staff, prisoners. On one occasion he spent a night in a cell and wore a tag. If the UK had the electric chair, Rory would have gone for a ride in Old Sparky just to prove it was a cruel and unusual punishment. Joking aside, he did a lot of good work as Prisons and Probations Minister. He doesn’t say much about opposition parties in this book, but he has a lot to say about his fellow Tory MPs, and most (not all) of it is pretty damning. So why was he so loyal, for so long, to a party that (in my view) did not deserve him? That question isn't really answered. He criticises Boris Johnson and for sure, bad government is a bad thing. But, hang on, we're a democracy. In defence of Johnson, his values surely reflect those of the nation? Democracy is a kind of mirror. The government doesn't care about prisons because they rightly spot that the voters don't. The government ignores the homeless because most voters do. When Johnson won the leadership contest and then an election, the Conservative Party and the country got what we deserved. He won by democratic process. In the final act, Stewart stood in that leadership contest like Luke Skywalker trying to become a Sith Lord. With Boris in place, Rory Stewart is soon booted out of the Conservative Party. I was reminded of Caesars, purging the senators disloyal to him. This is a lengthy review, but there is so much more I could have said about this outstanding memoir. I think the ‘Politics on the Edge’ is a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. The really sad thing for me is that he would have been a brilliant Labour Prime Minister.
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Very interesting/entertaining book
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Notwithstanding this book is written from one person’s perspective, there are many facts that are undeniable true. As a result, this is a real eye-opener into how the British political system works. Every tax payer and voter should read this!
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An extremely well researched, descriptive and well written tale of Rory’s walk along Hadrian’s Wall which seemed to run out of steam through lack of historical records and which concentrated on Scottish feuds between the clans instead. This included the destruction of whole villages, cattle and setting fire to settlements during the Middle Ages which didn’t interest me in the slightest. I enjoyed Rory’s walk across Afganistan but I’m afraid I can’t recommend The Marches.
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A brilliant description of how politics was really done in Britain during the Cameron and May premierships. The details that have not been written about by other authors. Rory Stewart is clearly a maverick with his own views about the events of the day, but he works hard and wants to do a good job. He gives shrewd character sketches about many well-known names, some named, others not. He describes the daily difficulties with civil servants, most also wanting to do a good job, but most with a different view of what the job is. MP's having to read 1000 page documents and vote on them when most have not read them, and dont even understand the basics, such as ministers after the Brexit vote asking what the custom union is. I remember Dominic Rabb admitting not knowing the importance of Dover to Britains trade with Europe. A must read if you want to know how Britain was governed under the Tories during the 2010's.
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Should be read in schools and universities, printed in whole in newspapers, everyone needs to know this. Respect to Mr Stewart for staying true to his principles.
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profound insight into the complicated british political system. Stewart reveals from his experience and of course by his own view the pitfalls and frustrations in politics. On the edge means truly you can slip off and get fed up. interesting.
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The memoir’s appeal lies in Stewart's transparency and willingness to critique not only his own political party but the entire system. He discusses his motivations for entering politics and how his idealism met with the realities of bureaucracy, party loyalty, and ideological rigidity. Stewart is especially critical of the deterioration of public discourse and the increasing influence of populism, which he argues has led to superficial debates rather than substantive problem-solving. His reflections on the inner workings of the British government reveal a system that, in his view, has strayed from its democratic ideals. Stewart’s portrayal of key political figures, including former Prime Ministers like David Cameron and Boris Johnson, is both revealing and at times unflattering, offering readers a window into how power is wielded and perceived within Westminster. His observations are often nuanced, as he acknowledges the strengths and shortcomings of colleagues across the political spectrum. He paints Johnson, in particular, as a figure emblematic of the troubling shift in British politics towards showmanship over integrity—a shift that Stewart finds deeply troubling. What sets Politics on the Edge apart from other political memoirs is Stewart’s philosophical and reflective approach. He doesn’t just recount events but probes larger questions about the purpose of government, the responsibilities of elected officials, and the possibility for reform. His writing is eloquent and earnest, as he grapples with his own disillusionment and considers what meaningful change might look like. For readers interested in British politics or the nature of political life in general, Politics on the Edge is a compelling read. It’s a rare, introspective glimpse into the personal cost of public service and a sobering reminder of the challenges facing democratic institutions today. Stewart’s memoir ultimately raises more questions than it answers, but his thoughtful, candid approach makes this a thought-provoking and valuable contribution to contemporary political literature.
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I have been listening to The Rest is Politics podcast, and Rory references his time in politics a fair bit. Not being a Tory, and having not lived in the Uk for a while, I decided to get his book to find out more. It really is a good read. Keeps you engaged and you can almost hear him talking in your head. For the politics curious, politics junkies, and academics alike - I highly recommend you read this book. It is appealing to all knowledge levels, as Rory never leaves you expecting to know the background - he always explains everything and does so in a way that is engaging and interesting, but it doesn’t offend those who know the details.
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