Clarke warns Tories to focus on victory
Leadership hopeful Kenneth Clarke has warned the Conservative party to put the corrosive issue of Europe behind it and focus on winning the next general election.
The former chancellor believes he lost the leadership race in 2001 because the party had put ideology – in particular the issue of Europe – before a desire to win.
“If the party believes that it has to choose a leader because of his views on the single currency then in my opinion the party is beginning to lose touch with reality and will deserve to be in opposition for quite a long time,” Mr Clarke said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.
And the Rushcliffe MP insists that if he did become leader he would not split the party, as the Tories would not divide on the current European agenda – which is about economic reform.
But Mr Clarke’s comments lie in stark contrast to those made by deputy party leader Michael Ancram yesterday – who said the Tories must not ignore the issue of Europe.
Mr Ancram said the Conservatives must elect a leader who would take a firm line on Europe and “stand up for Britain”, in comments widely interpreted as an attempt to counter the challenge from Ken Clarke.
And Mr Clarke admits that his pro-European stance that has dogged his leadership candidature in the past could prove difficult in the latest contest.
He points out that political parties by their nature will be filled with those more ideological than the general public, thus making it more difficult for a candidate from the centre ground to win.
But the latest poll suggests Mr Clarke may not have so much to fear on this front.
A survey of local Conservative association chairman for the Times suggests Mr Clarke is favoured by a majority of two to one over rival David Davis, the shadow home secretary.
This means even if constituency chairman reject proposals to hand power to choose the leader back to MPs, Mr Clarke could still win the contest.
Meanwhile, Liam Fox will launch his leadership bid tomorrow and Sir Malcolm Rifkind has embarked on a tour to galvanise support among supporters.
Read profiles of the Tory leadership candidates.
