Rory Stewart on Trump, Nationalism and The Value of Rural Life (Part One)

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 10 December 2025

⏱️ 37 minutes

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Summary

Over the course of a decade in politics Rory Stewart saw how power really works and what forces drive our communities apart. He was a backbench MP, held several ministerial positions, and stood for prime minister – before being sacked from a Conservative Party that he had come to barely recognise. Now, well away from the political arena, he regularly shares his insights into current affairs and global politics as co-host of the UK’s leading political podcast, The Rest Is Politics. In October he came to Intelligence Squared to discuss the state of Britain and the world today. He drew from his new book 'Middleland: Dispatches from the Borders' to discuss his decade as MP of one of Britain’s most rural constituencies, Penrith and The Border. And he argued that to truly create a better future for all we must understand the tensions that exist between rural and urban, between farming and the natural world, between the need to preserve and to grow, and between local and national politics. Bridges must – and can – be built, he argued. The event was hosted by former MP and author Caroline Lucas. You can find out more about her book Another England: Reclaiming Our National Story here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453710/another-england-by-lucas-caroline/9781804941591 --- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:49.1	Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.
0:51.3	I'm producer Mia Sorrenti.
0:56.7	Today's episode is part one of our recent live event with former MP and co-host of the rest is politics, Rory Stewart.
0:59.4	For over a decade in British politics, Rory Stewart saw firsthand how power really works
1:05.3	and what forces drive communities apart.
1:08.3	He served as a backbench MP, held several ministerial posts and even ran for
1:12.5	Prime Minister, before being sacked from a Conservative Party he had come to barely recognise.
1:17.5	Now, from outside the political arena, he shares his insights on global affairs as co-host of the UK's
1:22.8	leading political podcast. Stuart joined us recently at Friend's House in London to discuss the State of Britain
1:29.5	and the World Today and his new book, Middelland, Dispatches from the Borders. In conversation with
1:35.2	Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party, Stuart argued that to truly create a better future
1:40.9	for all, we must understand the tensions that exist between rural and urban,
1:45.5	between farming and the natural world, between the need to preserve and the need to grow,
	...

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