TORY LEADER David Cameron has brought added credibility and much-needed firepower to his assault on the Labour government with the recall of former chancellor Kenneth Clarke to the shadow cabinet.
Mr Clarke (68), a renowned “big beast” and political bruiser who failed three times in his bid to become Conservative party leader, will “shadow” business secretary Lord Mandelson from the House of Commons. Moreover, Mr Clarke cited Lord Mandelson’s “whole history of bad blood” with prime minister Gordon Brown to refute suggestions that his return to the frontline risks reopening Conservative divisions over Europe.
In a statement expressing his delight at joining Mr Cameron’s shadow cabinet, Mr Clarke acknowledged the anxiety expressed by Lord (Norman) Tebbit and others, saying: “Some may raise questions about my views on Europe . . . But I accept that the party has come to a settled view on European matters, and I will not oppose the direction David will set on European policies in the future.”
This surprisingly unequivocal promise of future discipline by the famously outspoken and independent Mr Clarke was accompanied by a declaration of confidence that Mr Cameron “has returned the Conservative party to the centre ground of British politics” and that he “will be Britain’s next prime minister”.
Mr Clarke said he had “thought carefully about returning to frontline politics” and was doing so because the UK was facing “the gravest economic crisis” he had known in his lifetime.
“The situation is made much more difficult because of 11 years of Labour’s economic mismanagement, which leaves Britain facing a debt crisis and spiralling borrowing,” he said.
“Gordon Brown is part of the problem, so he cannot be part of the solution. Only a change in government will restore the confidence that is vital for economic recovery.”
Mr Cameron paved the way for Mr Clarke’s return last week when he declared leading eurosceptic William Hague his effective deputy in a move also taken to signal a demotion for shadow chancellor George Osborne.
Mr Osborne confirmed, however, that he had in fact initiated the talks about Mr Clarke’s return.
Announcing a wider than expected reshuffle, Mr Cameron pointedly declared himself “pleased and proud that Ken Clarke has agreed to join my shadow cabinet as part of George Osborne’s economic team”.
Mr Cameron said Mr Clarke was “the last chancellor of the exchequer to lead this country out of recession” and claimed he possessed “more experience at dealing with tough economic challenges than Gordon Brown’s entire cabinet”.
“Eleven years ago it was Ken Clarke who handed over a strong economy, with sound public finances, falling debt and solid growth to Gordon Brown. Gordon Brown has squandered that legacy,” Mr Cameron said.
“A new Conservative government will need to lead this country out of recession again. With Ken Clarke in the shadow cabinet. At the next election we will have the best economic team for these difficult times.”
Eric Pickles replaced Caroline Spelman as Conservative party chairman in the reshuffle which also saw barrister Dominic Grieve move from home affairs to become shadow justice secretary.