Rory Stewart is contemplating the manifestations of evil on Earth. “We often think of evil as a sort of cartoon figure, like Lord Voldemort, rubbing their hands together and plotting the destruction of the world,” says the former soldier, diplomat, academic, Conservative leadership candidate — and author of the most horribly revealing book on Westminster you are likely to read.
“I'm not a theologian, but I have an idea that evil is actually a form of immense carelessness,” he says. “It's a form of immense selfishness. It's cynicism.” His polite demeanour glitches with fury. He is baring his teeth. “It's the utter cynicism that enables the erosion of our standards, our institutions, our conduct in public life and because it's done with a wink and a smile… because it's disguised as clowning… it's actually more dangerous.”
