On the plus side, the book is often entertaining. Stewart vividly records his encounters with the key figures of his time, and while it’s not necessarily breaking news that David Cameron is a glib hypocrite, Boris Johnson a charming liar and Liz Truss a gibbering nitwit, it’s enjoyable to read fresh evidence of it. Particularly amusing are Stewart’s memories of Steve Hilton, the shoeless svengali of Cameron’s No10. During one visit of Downing Street, the author finds Hilton on the floor gazing at a map, murmuring: “F— me, look how big Scotland is. This is just f—ing mad, man.”

Politics On the Edge: A Memoir from Within - AbeBooks Politics On the Edge: A Memoir from Within - AbeBooks

But you are changing far more lives now – one stroke of a pen on plastic bags has changed the behaviour of millions.’ Really enjoyed reading this memoir, which highlights the absurdity of the British system at times and shows how principled and qualified figures are often crowded out of the field. These days Stewart leads a non-profit organisation that gives cash handouts to the poor of East Africa, and, with Alastair Campbell, co-hosts every centrist dad’s favourite podcast, The Rest is Politics. He has also, however, found time to write this memoir, Politics on the Edge: the story of his 10 years as a Tory MP. It’s very good. Even so, I’m not sure I should recommend it. This is because it casts such a depressing light on Westminster that it may put the reader off voting ever again.It seems that Stewart's underlying discontent stems from his deep-seated faith in the system, a conviction that it possesses a grandeur and poetry perhaps beyond its reality. An interesting read, albeit unremarkable in overall content - especially for those whose have been listeners to ‘The Rest is Politics.’ Despite that, it is always enjoyable to listen to anecdotes of ineptitude of Johnson and Truss.

Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart: a centrist lament Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart: a centrist lament

If you're coming to Coles by car, why not take advantage of the 2 hours free parking at Sainsbury's Pioneer Square - just follow the signs for Pioneer Square as you drive into Bicester and park in the multi-storey car park above the supermarket. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. You don't need to shop in Sainsbury's to get the free parking! Where to Find UsRory himself is a sensitive, passionate individual who clearly had idealism at heart when he entered politics. It is ultimately depressing, frustrating and downright rage-inducing to read through his experiences, and clarifies the level at which Britain is run by conniving, corrupt sociopaths. Stewart, it seems, was confused that this roster of “the uncurious, uncritical, inept” were selected to build the modern Conservative Party instead of, erm, him. It is hard not to read into the thinly veiled subtext that the worst thing about Cameron is not his politics or his management style, nor his elevation of Liz Truss, but that he held little affection for Rory. Consequently, Stewart’s new book, Politics On the Edge, is anything but just another House of Commons memoir. It’s genuinely eye-opening stuff, always riveting, often horrifying, his colleagues depicted as either preening and arrogant or shady and duplicitous, frequently both. It benefits from two crucial factors: firstly, it’s very well written; and secondly, its author adheres to the rule that the best autobiographical writing tells it like it is, and doesn’t pull punches. His erstwhile Tory colleagues will not thank him for this.