Latest news with #RoryStewart
New European
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New European
Alastair Campbell's Diary: The Pope vs JD Vance
At this stage, we didn't know the name of the new pope, and I said to the group of people now gathering around to watch live coverage on another student's phone: 'Is this not incredible? Inside that building, right now, there is a human being whose name most people in the world would not know, and whose face we would not recognise, and in a few minutes' time he will become one of the best-known people on earth?' I had just finished a talk at Oxford University, when one of the students exclaimed: 'White smoke, white smoke … we have a pope.' Among atheist and believer, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, there was a real sense of excitement. This is surely unique. When a new king is crowned, he has long been a prince. We have known presidents and prime ministers for years, often decades, before they get there. There are plenty of 'overnight sensations' in sport or entertainment, but many of us knew about Messi and Ronaldo long before they became global household names, and rare is the movie star who hasn't spent time treading the boards or working through roles and films that helped them make their name. So out steps Robert Prevost, now Leo XIV, and tens of thousands looking up to him from St Peter's Square erupt in the kind of joy and passion that normally only sport, live music, or the fall of a brutal dictator can inspire. Weirdly, given that I know little about the Catholic church, I had mentioned Prevost when Rory Stewart and I had discussed runners and riders for the papal vacancy on The Rest Is Politics. I just happened to have seen his name in an article in the New York Times that morning. However, in common with most of the rest of the world, I knew nothing about him. And now, there he was, his every last utterance about to be dug up for scrutiny, his brother in Illinois doorstepped to tell us what kind of child he had been, leaders all over the world sending their congratulations, hopes and invitations, media all over the world eagerly building a picture of the man, so that public all over the world could have a sense of how the new pope would carry out his role, how he would influence the big issues and challenges of our time. 'Oh no,' several of the students had said, 'not an American!' More evidence, if any were needed, of the self-inflicted harm to America's soft power caused by the decision to re-elect Donald Trump. But then, one of our podcast production team pinged into the TRIP WhatsApp group a tweet Prevost had posted when the US vice-president, JD Vance, engaged in a social media spat with Rory Stewart on the issue of 'ordo amoris', which translates as 'order of love'. Vance, a recent convert to Catholicism, insisted that the order Christians should follow is love for family, then neighbour, then community, then fellow citizens, then rest of the world, adding with a Trumpian flourish that Rory's IQ was a lot lower than he thought. This was very convenient for someone busy justifying the kidnapping and deportation of what he and Trump like to call illegal aliens. Rory, on the other hand, was adamant that the Bible teaches us that there is no such hierarchy of love, and that while love for family was essential, love should first be directed to God. The Prevost tweet sent to me started with the splendid words: 'JD Vance is wrong,' adding 'Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others'. So Rory was right. Unlike me, he does God. I was further encouraged that the new pope may be a force for good when Laura Loomer, the far-right conspiracy theorist who tells the president which national security officials to hire and fire, went on a Twitter rant against the 'anti-Trump, anti-MAGA… Marxist puppet in the Vatican'. She was especially riled up about a tweet Prevost had posted urging that 'all hatred, violence and prejudice be eradicated'. I don't know about you, but I quite like the idea of popes being broadly against hatred, violence and prejudice. He may have been born American, but Leo XIV's experience, views and values strike me as being as far from Trumpian as were his predecessor's. Amen to that. A busy week on the Brexit-bashing front, first writing the foreword for the Good Growth Foundation's report on UK-EU relations, The Third Rail of British Politics, and then a long read for the Italian newspaper Il Foglio. The report includes some fascinating polling which, while showing little appetite for re-running the referendum, reveals that even Reform voters want to see much closer relations with the EU. When it came to questions about trade and the economy, and security and defence, on which more than 70% want more co-operation, the numbers for Labour-Reform switchers were higher than for the general public. Furthermore, over a third of Labour-Reform switchers actually want to rejoin the EU. Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that in a list of perceived threats to the UK, though Vladimir Putin comes top, Trump is second, ahead of terrorists, and a lot higher than China. The report goes big on security. People understand that our economic security and national security are closely linked. As the US seeks to weaken its European alliances, Brits seem to understand we need to strengthen ours. A little extract from my piece in Il Foglio: 'I'm writing this for an Italian audience, but the message is meant for all our European friends: do not mistake the madness of Brexit for the settled will of the British people, any more than we should believe that the isolationist, racist, norm-breaking, guardrail-smashing, Putin-surrendering, abusive politics of Trump represents the totality of the USA. 'Just as there is another USA, there is another Britain. A Britain that knows our future lies in partnership, not isolation. A Britain that values friendship, co-operation, shared progress, shared values. A Britain that is still European in spirit, even if we've been forced out of so many of its institutions. 'Don't write us off. Don't close the door. Because there is a road back, and millions who wish to walk it. Young people feel especially strongly that they have lost so much more than they gained in the actions taken by their parents and grandparents in that vote back in 2016.' Highlight of the week was going to Pentonville prison to join with the 'Music in the Ville' team, professional musicians who run music classes for the prisoners. A bit of opera, Vivaldi on the violin, an awesome Bob Marley singalong session. The moderator also got us all improvising and composing our own songs, and it was good to see quiet and reserved men slowly getting into it. As for a prisoner named 'Blue', wow… a rapper who makes the backing track music by slapping his chest, and whose lyrics were superb. Yes, of course I had my bagpipes, and after playing in the class, and getting some of them dancing, I was then asked to play to the whole prison, in the central hall to which all the wings are connected. There is a lot wrong with our prisons (for example, Pentonville was built in 1842 to house 520 prisoners, and now holds more than 1,200). But my God, the acoustics for bagpipes in that central hall are fantastic, as was the very loud, and touching, response to my mix of marches, reels, jigs and, by popular demand, Amazing Grace.
Scotsman
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
How Scotland can learn from Norway and escape the trap of short-term politics
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Like many people who are about to get married, I can't help but think about the future, what comes next and also in the long term. The same should be true for those who aspire to lead Scotland politically but, sadly, long-term thinking has been largely missing from our national conversation. In my opinion, it's high time that we had a frank conversation about where we want Scotland to be by 2050, how we tackle its big issues and how we make sure that we grasp any future opportunities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, by its nature, politics is very much about the short term. With the Scottish Parliament's five-year election cycle, it is understandable that politicians tend to think within that framework. All too often, as we head into another election, we hear the same mantras from politicians about improving the NHS, building more homes, investing in the economy, and getting people back into work, all in the hope that it will capture the attention of voters and persuade them to support a political party which aspires to govern Scotland. Former Cabinet minister Rory Stewart has explained why the practice of regularly reshuffling government ministers makes civil servants resistant to change (Picture: Leon Neal) | Getty Images More than the usual spiel Undeniably these issues are important and they will play a leading role in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election campaigns, but what is missing is a plan for the future that transcends the five-year political cycle and offers a long-term, strategic vision. Over the last 11 years, Scotland has been involved in two referendums, two Scottish Parliament elections, two sets of local council elections, and four general elections. No wonder there's a degree of election fatigue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To capture the attention and imagination of the Scottish electorate, politics has to be more than just the usual 'vote for me' spiel. We need politicians who are prepared to think outside the box, think big, think bold, and think about the kind of Scotland they envision under their leadership, in a way that captures hearts and minds. If they can present an ambitious, future-focussed vision of what this country could become, people may, once again, be reinvigorated and inspired by politics as a force for good, a driver of progress that benefits us all. Fail to do this, and the result will be a low voter turnout in next year's election, and growing cynicism about politics. Why short-termism hinders change In his book, Politics on the Edge, former Conservative minister, Tory leadership candidate and now leading political podcaster Rory Stewart highlighted the limitations of short-term approaches to public service delivery. Stewart, who was prisons minister for 18 months, explained he could understand why civil servants 'resisted energetic ministers'. 'Some prisons ministers – who seemed to lack clear ideas and actions – could be reshuffled annually with little effect on the system. But too much clarity and energy from ministers such as [Michael] Gove or perhaps me – who were reshuffled every year – meant reverses and re-reversals which could only leave a shaky system spinning and churning water in our wake.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad History provides other examples of what can happen when there is no long-term plan. Cast your mind back to the 1980s when the closure of coal mines had devastating effects on mining communities across the country. Under the then Conservative government, there was no 'just transition' – as promised for the oil and gas industries today – and the consequences were felt for decades. If there had been a long-term, strategic plan to help communities cope, this could have been avoided. Norway's wealth fund Norway is a leading example of a country that has benefited from long-term thinking. Following the North Sea oil and gas boom that began in the late 1960s, its government recognised the potential of oil and gas revenue and created a national wealth fund, with its citizens at the heart of the decision-making process. The aim of the fund has been to finance public services, such as healthcare, infrastructure and education, but also to act as a buffer against fluctuations in international oil prices. Part of its ethos is to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from the money raised. The above is only one example of why I believe Scotland needs its own long-term plan. Focusing on five years won't touch the sides of this country's deepest problems. If we can develop a long-term strategic view – one that all parties can get behind – this will result in a better and more progressive Scotland with a societal dividend that will benefit all. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To harness the power of long-term thinking will require some realpolitik and cooperation across party lines, but I'm a believer in devolution and a believer in the Scottish Parliament. I really do think it is possible to bring about a fundamental shift in our style of politics because I sense there is the political will and a real desire to focus more on the long term. Scotland 2050 is free That is exactly what Scotland 2050 – a political conference I'm organising involving First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Alex Cole-Hamilton from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Cherie Blair, Professor Mairi Spowage of the Fraser of Allander Institute and more – is all about. We need to ask questions about where we want Scotland to be by 2050 and how we tackle the big issues – of which, let's be honest, there are many. We also need to identify future opportunities and work out how to take advantage of them. Recognising that everyone should be part of the conversation about Scotland's future, I have intentionally made Scotland 2050 a free, ticketed event to ensure it can be attended by a diverse cross-section of society. So come along and be part of building a bright future for your country! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland 2050 will be held at the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh, on June 17. Go to to secure your free ticket.
New York Times
07-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
How to Survive in Politically Volatile Times
By David French Produced by Jillian Weinberger In this episode of 'The Opinions,' the columnist David French and Rory Stewart explore how small-c conservatives can keep hope alive in the midst of a populist onslaught. Below is a transcript of an episode of 'The Opinions.' We recommend listening to it in its original form for the full effect. You can do so using the player above or on the NYT Audio App, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. The transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity. David French: I'm David French, a columnist for The New York Times. A lot of us are feeling politically homeless right now. The Democrats are flailing while trying to figure out how to stand up against Donald Trump, and there are people like me. I left the Republican Party in 2016 after Trump's rise. Looking at the political landscape, I wonder: Where do we fit in? Our friends in the United Kingdom are going through their own destabilizing political moment. I wanted to see how they're realigning to see what we can learn from them and how they're keeping up the fight. That's why I wanted to talk to Rory Stewart. He's a co-host of a podcast called 'The Rest Is Politics' and the author of the book 'How Not to Be a Politician.' For a long time, he was deeply embedded within the Tory Party, a traditional British conservative. He was a member of the British government, a minister. Rory campaigned against Brexit, and Boris Johnson eventually expelled him from the party. I wanted to talk to Rory about how those of us who care about democracy keep hope alive in the midst of a populist onslaught. It's a conversation that's political, certainly, but it also gets personal about how each of us can engage and persevere when engagement carries a cost. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Associated Press
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles take on the Queens Royals in ASUN Tournament
Fort Myers, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Eagles -4.5; over/under is 147.5 BOTTOM LINE: FGCU plays in the ASUN Tournament against Queens. The Eagles have gone 13-5 against ASUN opponents, with a 5-8 record in non-conference play. FGCU has an 8-11 record against teams above .500. The Royals are 11-7 in ASUN play. Queens scores 76.8 points and has outscored opponents by 2.6 points per game. FGCU's average of 8.1 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.4 more made shots on average than the 7.7 per game Queens gives up. Queens averages 9.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than FGCU gives up. TOP PERFORMERS: Dallion Johnson is averaging 15.1 points for the Eagles. Rory Stewart is averaging 1.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games. Leo Colimerio is scoring 13.8 points per game and averaging 5.2 rebounds for the Royals. Chris Ashby is averaging 4.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Eagles: 7-3, averaging 77.2 points, 34.9 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 5.1 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.1 points per game. Royals: 6-4, averaging 78.6 points, 31.9 rebounds, 15.6 assists, 5.5 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 74.4 points.
New European
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New European
Fancy a selfie with Boris Johnson? That'll be £121, please
His weekly Daily Mail column, despite frustrating his editors by rarely, if ever, delivering a news line, is thought to bring in the thick end of seven figures. His advance for his account of his time in office, Unleashed, was widely reported as paying him a £510,000 advance before selling a single copy (although was outsold by Rory Stewart's). And the man who once told a room of north-eastern business leaders why they should be visiting a Peppa Pig-themed amusement park in Hampshire can still demand upwards of £250,000 to deliver speeches to cryptocurrency investors, insurers and investment bankers across the anglophone world. It is no secret that Boris Johnson has made an awful lot of money since leaving Parliament. Having jumped as an MP before he was pushed, the former prime minister is no longer obliged to report his earnings, but is not thought to be on his uppers. So it's bewildering that he should now be demanding £121.25 – for a selfie! Johnson is giving a live show at Edinburgh's Usher Hall on September 2 with tickets starting at £49 plus booking fee, rising to £75 for top-tier seats. The event page praises the ex-Tory leader for 'enacting the will of the British people' over Brexit (in Scotland, which voted 62% for Remain), and unleashing a 'visionary agenda of domestic policy reform' (in Scotland, to which domestic policy is largely devolved). The advert also hails Johnson as the 'pre-eminent global leader in the effort to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian invasion' less than two weeks after he presciently penned a column headlined 'This is the moment to shock Putin with strength of our resolve – and if anyone can do that, it's Donald J Trump'. After all that, who wouldn't want a keepsake snap with this most statesmanlike of figures? Just an extra £110 (on top of the ticket price) plus another £11.25 booking fee – don't all rush at once!
