How Not to Be a Politician: A Memoir Hardcover – September 19, 2023

While it isn't an exact analogy by any means, as I read Rory Stewart's memoir of his years as an MP and candidate for Prime Minister I was often reminded of the Jimmy Stewart movie from the 1940s "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington." Not exact at all, because Rory Stewart was already an extremely accomplished man: the author of several well received books, a diplomat who had worked in some of the most dangerous areas on earth, and a Harvard professor. But his determination to be a force for reform and improvement and his earnest desire to help his constituents had little or no chance against the cynicism and entrenched mindsets against which he found himself battling during the decade he held office.Stewart's account begins with his decision to stand for Parliament in a northern English constituency, across the border from his Scottish home. He made his way through the tangled process of getting "selected" as a candidate by the Conservative Party in his area, won a seat in the 2010 General Election, and became an MP. He served under Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, held ministerial office in several different departments, and worked very hard to accomplish something. As Prisons Minister he had some success, but in which ever office he served he had to deal with cut throat politicking, both by other MPs and by the Civil Service. His time in office was dominated by the Brexit controversy, but he also had to deal with numerous other issues in what will surely be remembered as one of the more miserable periods for British politics. Eventually he made a run to become Prime Minister during the summer of 2019, lost to Boris Johnson, and was then forced out of office.As an American I really enjoyed this book because it taught me a lot I never knew about the process of becoming and serving as an MP. Being an Anglophile of long standing, I had developed some romantic ideas about British politics being far superior to the US variety, but I was quickly disabused of those notions by Stewart's account. Stewart is an excellent writer with an eye for a revelatory anecdote. He is not reticent and makes his feelings towards the Prime Ministers, other ministers, and other MPs with whom he dealt very clear. I came away from How Not To Be A Politician feeling sad that Rory Stewart no longer holds public office, and hoping that eventually he will find his way back to the fray. He's one of the good guys, and there are far too few of them in politics these days.

As an American reader long familiar with US politics I had little understanding of how British politics worked at the practical level. Rory Stuart presents a first hand view from the inside. This includes an intimate look at the doings of current politicians. He is unsparing in criticism as well as appreciation of these people.For me it was of greatest value in coming to understand how Parliament works in the UK, both in structure and in practice. Certainly very different from in the US. I could elaborate but that wouldn't substitute for reading his experience. Overall not a rosy picture there.I typically judge a book on both its informative value and its enjoyment to read. As I say above, the informative value is very great. The reading enjoyment for me is primarily in its candor, both introspective as well as in interactions with others. Probably more thorough editing could improve it somewhat, but it kept me engaged and wanting more throughout.The time period covered is from David Cameron as prime minister through the election of Boris Johnson to that post. Mr. Stuart served in Parliament and was a member of the ruling Conservative party. But certainly not an "old school" conservative, and clearly much more energetic than most.

Rory Stewart is always a pleasure to read. The first few chapters are a bit bumpy with some awkward and overwrought similes as he finds his voice, but once he settles in it is an honest and well balanced view of political life. He pulls no punches, either on others or himself, and gracefully presents his discoveries of how to best work the relationship between politicians and the civil service.

A brutally honest portrayal of how politics works from the inside. It is not a happy or hopeful tale, but one told with passion and panache. This is not a kiss-and-tell, even-the-score memoir si as much as moving meditation on what's going wrong with contemporary governance. You don't have to agree with Stewart on policy (I certainly do not) to be persuaded by his excoriating analysis of why government and the contemporary politics that underpin it are so frequently dysfunctional.

This is a very informative book about the political system in Britain in the last few years. Stewart is an iconoclast, with a clear-eyed take on how parliament, the parties, and ministries actually work. No wonder Britain is in trouble!

Until this is read one cannot know how dysfunctional, self-serving, wasteful and cynical "politics" in Great Britain is. Although documented in detail throughout the book, close to the end, it is revealed how a BBC's "moderator" of the televised "debate" just prior to the election for Prime Minister was manipulated to advantage the election of Boris Johnson by shielding his incompetency and prevarications, his deliberate deviations of the truth. Shades of 2016 in this country.

This is my first amazon review and I wrote it because I want to recommend this book to everyone. Rory Stewart is an exceptional writer who gave an authentic and surgically precise diagnosis about British's politics, which is rotten from its root. His writing has a beautiful, gifted poise and a flair dotted with wit and humour. For sure a page turner.