Clarke: lurch to right would 'retoxify Tories'
Calls for more hardliners in reshuffle come as poll shows support for coalition has slumped
,
Jane Merrick
Sunday 19 August 2012
Related articles
Ken Clarke has warned David Cameron that replacing him with a right-winger in the forthcoming reshuffle will lead to the "retoxification" of the Tory party.
The salvo from the pro-European Justice Secretary comes as a poll for The Independent on Sunday shows confidence in the coalition has slumped in the past year, with six out of 10 people claiming the Liberal Democrats are not a credible party of government.
Mr Cameron is being urged to use the reshuffle, expected early next month, to put together a more "red meat" Tory ministerial line-up that will appeal to party grassroots. The findings of the poll will fuel calls for Tory right-wingers to be given more prominent roles to pave the way for an eventual split in the coalition.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, will not be reshuffled but will be told by the Prime Minister to be more visible in the autumn, trumpeting the Tories' law-and-order message. "People don't know what we stand for on crime," said a source.
There has been speculation that Mr Clarke, 72, will be replaced by a flag bearer for the party's right, with names in the frame including the former leader Iain Duncan Smith, who has won plaudits as Work and Pensions Secretary for his aggressive benefit reforms, and the Employment minister, Chris Grayling.
But the Justice Secretary has baulked at the idea. According to sources, Mr Clarke told friends: "If he replaces me with a hard-line right-winger, it will be another step towards retoxification of the party."
Liberal Democrats are also dismayed at the prospect of losing Mr Clarke. A senior source said: "He is the sixth Lib Dem in the Cabinet. The last thing we want to see is him being given the boot to make way for a hang 'em and flog 'em old-style Tory."
Downing Street insiders report a growing anxiety at the Government's apparent inability to get a grip on the news agenda. George Osborne, the Chancellor, has faced months of negative headlines since his Budget in March which eventually saw U-turns on taxes on pasties and charities.
Mr Cameron is understood to be considering a "cosmetic" change which would see Mr Osborne publicly stripped of his role as the Conservatives' senior political strategist, after claims he was acting as a "part-time Chancellor".
Instead the role would go to a new party chairman. Sources close to Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, say he would be reluctant to become chairman.
Grant Shapps, the Housing minister, is tipped for promotion, along with Greg Clark, the Communities minister. Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, could be promoted to party chairman, given her "broad appeal" with the party as a Rotherham-born MP for a London seat.
The IoS poll will make difficult holiday reading for Nick Clegg, whose party remains on 10 per cent, with the Tories on 33 per cent, up one point from last month, and Labour unchanged on 42 per cent. A year ago, 24 per cent of people agreed that being in coalition with the Tories had shown the Lib Dems to be a credible party of government, with 52 per cent disagreeing. Today just 18 per cent agree that the Lib Dems are credible, while 61 per cent disagree.
Mr Clegg's leadership ratings have improved slightly, however, with his net approval at minus 35, compared with minus 42 a month ago. Voters are split over whether Mr Cameron was right to abandon changes to the Upper House, and also divided over whether the Lib Dem leader should have vowed to vote against boundary changes in revenge.
Mr Cameron's ratings are unchanged, on minus 27, while Ed Miliband's have fallen from minus 17 to minus 20.
Worryingly for George Osborne, 54 per cent of people believe the UK's economic condition will not improve over the next 12 months, compared with 24 per cent who are optimistic.
There are signs of growing support for the Union, with 31 per cent of people in Scotland believing it should be an independent country, compared with 38 per cent in May 2011, while support for Scottish independence has also fallen among voters in England and Wales – 24 per cent today compared with 32 per cent in May 2011.
-
Feat of engineering: Incredible photographs show construction beneath New York's Second Avenue
-
Charles Saatchi accepts caution for assault over incident in Scott’s restaurant when he put his hands on throat of wife Nigella Lawson
-
Special Report: US troops are stationed in Japan to protect the nation. But to sex workers in Okinawa, they bring fear, not security
-
Police examine photographs of Charles Saatchi with hand on Nigella Lawson's throat
-
Iran to send 4,000 troops to aid President Assad forces in Syria
- 1 Breaking the Silence: In the reality of occupation, there are no Palestinian civilians – only potential terrorists
- 2 Charles Saatchi accepts caution for assault over incident in Scott’s restaurant when he put his hands on throat of wife Nigella Lawson
- 3 Anatomy of a waiter: Service staff spill the secrets of their trade
- 4 Exclusive: Cristiano Ronaldo advised to stay at Real Madrid for another 18 months before making possible switch to Manchester United
- 5 Iran to send 4,000 troops to aid President Assad forces in Syria
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
How will you make today delicious?
Tell us how you plan to make today delicious and you could win a £50 M&S gift card.
Learn a new language
Add another string to your bow with Rosetta Stone, whether it's Spanish, Italian or Mandarin...
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
iJobs General
PR Manager - Renewables
£32000 - £33000 Per Annum: The Green Recruitment Company: The Green Recruitmen...
Regional Sales Manager - Renewable Energy
Negotiable Depending on Experience: The Green Recruitment Company: The Green R...
Senior Property Solicitor - Mayfair
Excellent Salary Package: Austen Lloyd: We have an outstanding opportunity for...
Room Leader NVQ Level 3
Negotiable: Capita Education Resourcing Permanent Team: Room Leader NVQ Level ...
Day In a Page
Scandi-geeks descend on Nordicana for fan-convention
Female aristocrats battle to inherit the title
In pictures: JFK's visit to Berlin in 1963
Mark Hix gets creative with English peas
Seasoned to taste: Food institutions







Comments