Rory Stewart speaks out on struggles as a Tory MP

Rory Stewart, a former Conservative MP, shared that he found being a politician unpleasant and felt like a fraud. He explained that he struggled with the pressure of appearing to work in multiple places at once, such as his constituency, parliament, and abroad for ministerial duties. Stewart expressed feeling overwhelmed by these expectations and the need to maintain a certain image. Stewart highlighted that he faced challenges balancing his responsibilities, as he was expected to be fully present in his Penrith and the Border constituency, while also fulfilling his duties in parliament and as the minister for Africa. He admitted to feeling like a "total fraud" when interacting with the public, as he believed he was constantly walking on a tightrope, trying to meet everyone's expectations. The former MP revealed that he even briefly considered suicide in 2010 after making controversial comments about his constituency. However, he later realized that his constituents did not take offense to his remarks and found them amusing. Stewart clarified that his intention was to challenge the perception of his area as wealthy and immune to budget cuts. Stewart emphasized his discomfort with the political environment, stating that he found it "very yucky" and did not enjoy it. He expressed feeling like a fraud due to the pressure of juggling multiple roles and the expectations placed on him. Despite his struggles, Stewart acknowledged that he could not continue living a life that made him feel dishonest and decided to step away from politics.