Every candidate who puts their name forward to run for Tory leadership knows that every detail of their past will be dredged up and scrutinised. We’ve already seen Michael Gove losing momentum when he was forced to admit he’d tried cocaine, and Boris Johnson’s various embarrassments dusted off and republished. And now, one lesser known fact has come to light about the International Development Secretary, Rory Stewart. Rory Stewart, 46, has been the Conservative MP for Penrith and The Border since 2010. READ MORE: Who is Rory Stewart? Everything you need to know about Tory leader hopeful But he wasn’t always so sure about the party he now calls home - in fact, as a teenager, he was a member of the opposition Labour Party. This is not an unknown fact, though it’s likely one Mr Stewart isn’t too keen to rehash. He’s been asked in previous interviews about why he’s ended up choosing the Tories over his first choice. His responses have maintained that he’s a different person to who he was when he was young, and has a belief in the Conservative’s ability to effect change. He told the Guardian he disapproved of “excessive regulation, red tape, all the stuff people complain about” in governments. He went on: “You have got more hope with the Tories of having people who speak that kind of language; you can say that sort of thing without them getting defensive. “I found student politics when I was at university a bit uncomfortable. “I think the Conservative party has changed and I have changed.” Now, this “changed” Rory Stewart is hoping to take the helm and guide the UK out of the EU on October 31. Although he campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum campaign, he said he accepted Brexit, saying: “I am a Brexiteer.” He said he also wanted “to reach out to Remain voters as well to bring this country together again”. But to do so, Mr Stewart faces a mighty challenge in the coming weeks. READ MORE: Rory Stewart royal connections: How PM hopeful used to tutor Prince Harry and William Of the six candidates remaining in the race, Mr Stewart got the least votes in the first ballot of Tory MPs, taking home 19 votes. This is in stark contrast to frontrunner Boris Johnson, who swept up 114 votes. The first of the challenges facing the leadership hopeful begins this evening, on Channel 4 at 6.30pm. Everyone who wants to be prime minister will be there - except Boris Johnson.
Rory Stewart shocking past: Little known fact which could wreck Stewart's leadership bid
Every candidate who puts their name forward to run for Tory leadership knows that every detail of their past will be dredged up and scrutinised. We’ve already seen Michael Gove losing momentum when he was forced to admit he’d tried cocaine, and Boris Johnson’s various embarrassments dusted off and republished. And now, one lesser known fact has come to light about the International Development Secretary, Rory Stewart. Rory Stewart, 46, has been the Conservative MP for Penrith and The Border since 2010. READ MORE: Who is Rory Stewart? Everything you need to know about Tory leader hopeful But he wasn’t always so sure about the party he now calls home - in fact, as a teenager, he was a member of the opposition Labour Party. This is not an unknown fact, though it’s likely one Mr Stewart isn’t too keen to rehash. He’s been asked in previous interviews about why he’s ended up choosing the Tories over his first choice. His responses have maintained that he’s a different person to who he was when he was young, and has a belief in the Conservative’s ability to effect change. He told the Guardian he disapproved of “excessive regulation, red tape, all the stuff people complain about” in governments. He went on: “You have got more hope with the Tories of having people who speak that kind of language; you can say that sort of thing without them getting defensive. “I found student politics when I was at university a bit uncomfortable. “I think the Conservative party has changed and I have changed.” Now, this “changed” Rory Stewart is hoping to take the helm and guide the UK out of the EU on October 31. Although he campaigned for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum campaign, he said he accepted Brexit, saying: “I am a Brexiteer.” He said he also wanted “to reach out to Remain voters as well to bring this country together again”. But to do so, Mr Stewart faces a mighty challenge in the coming weeks. READ MORE: Rory Stewart royal connections: How PM hopeful used to tutor Prince Harry and William Of the six candidates remaining in the race, Mr Stewart got the least votes in the first ballot of Tory MPs, taking home 19 votes. This is in stark contrast to frontrunner Boris Johnson, who swept up 114 votes. The first of the challenges facing the leadership hopeful begins this evening, on Channel 4 at 6.30pm. Everyone who wants to be prime minister will be there - except Boris Johnson.
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