Politics on the Edge

The searing inside story of our broken politics from the former Cabinet minister and co-host of The Rest Is Politics.

Over the course of a decade, Rory Stewart went from being a political outsider to standing for prime minister – before being sacked from a Conservative Party that he had come to barely recognise.

Uncompromising, honest and darkly humorous, this is his story of the challenges, absurdities and realities of political life. Instantly praised as a new classic, it is an astonishing portrait of our turbulent times.

Review

There’s no denying that Rory Stewart stands almost alone among British politicians: he’s one of a handful who can actually turn a phrase. That talent is put to good use here ― no other account of how Cameron Toryism curdled into May and Johnson is likely to be as evocative or amusing as this one ― The Times, *The Times Political Book of the Year*

If you want to better understand the catastrophe that has been our government since 2010, or you just want to bask in Stewart’s beautifully formulated prose, read this book ― New Statesman, *Books of the Year*

A brilliant insider’s account of the Cameron-May-Johnson years ― FT, *Books of the Year*

It is the sheer sharpness, originality and truth-telling grace of Stewart’s prose, along with the vital importance of his subject, that makes his new book a truly exceptional political autobiography, both a pleasure to read, and a vital wake-up call ― Scotsman, *Books of the Year*

Full of sharp observations and often funny… a portrait of a country where power is wielded by empty careerists, working in a broken system ― Financial Times, *Books of the Year*

Beautifully written... You glimpse how transformative government could be -- Gaby Hinsliff ― Guardian, *Books of the Year*

A fascinating account of power, corruption and lies ― i, *Books of the Year*

Stewart writes beautifully and is brilliant at describing both the theatre and insanity of life in politics ― Daily Express, *Books of the Year*

[Stewart’s] memoir of his time in politics is valuable as a slice of entertainment, as an enjoyably catty takedown of his former colleagues, and as perhaps the most helpful recent account of the failings of the British state… a valuable contribution to the historical record ― Sunday Times, *Political Book of the Year*

The moral and technical seriousness of this book should not be ignored: in his time in parliamentary politics, Stewart discovered a lot that needs mending―and he has plenty of ideas for doing so ― Prospect, *Books of the Year*

About the Author

Rory Stewart served in the UK Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development, and before that as Prisons Minister, Minister for Africa, Minister for Development, Environment Minister and Chair of the Defence Committee. He ran against Boris Johnson for the leadership of the Conservative Party in 2019. Earlier in his career he was briefly in the British Army, before serving as a diplomat in Indonesia, the Balkans and Iraq, establishing and running a charity in Afghanistan, and holding a chair at Harvard University. His 21-month 6,000-milewalk across Asia, including Afghanistan, is recorded in his New York Times bestseller, The Places in Between. His other books include Occupational Hazards, and The Marches.

Stewart is now the president of the non-profit organisation GiveDirectly, a visiting fellow at Yale's Jackson School and the co-host with Alastair Campbell of the UK's leading podcast The Rest Is Politics. He tweets at @RoryStewartUK.