Can Britain learn from its era of disastrous politics?

Rory Stewart entered the House of Commons in 2010 with a reputation as the modern-day Lawrence of Arabia (or, to his critics, the Florence of Belgravia). He had crossed Afghanistan alone. He had helped govern an Iraqi province. He had written three excellent books: two about his exploits in the Middle East and one about her walks through the Scottish Borders with his father, a legendary spy.

Stewart’s career stalled under David Cameron’s government because he opposed Cameron’s plan to abolish the House of Lords. He received a succession of low-level appointments under Theresa May. He then burst onto the national scene as the most articulate defender of May’s Brexit deal and as an insurgent candidate for the party leadership.