Rory Stewart is all style and no substance

Ever since Tony Blair appeared on the scene I have found it hard to avoid watching an up-and-coming politician without trying to imagine a clerical collar around their neck. If the image sticks, I would say that person has a potential image problem in the making. Last week Rory Stewart won plaudits for his speech in his circus tent on the South Bank, which was widely seen as being a class apart from the leadership launches of his colleagues, demonstrating the ability to appeal across the political spectrum. To some, in Channel 4’s debate on Sunday, Stewart still towered over his peers – and he certainly had the distinction of being the only one of the five candidates to succeed in drawing applause from the audience for his closing statement.

But sorry, as of the point in Sunday evening’s debate when he answered the question on what was his greatest fault, he will always be in my mind the Reverend Rory Stewart.