We're heading for defeat, say leading Clarke supporters

Ann Widdecombe, one of Ken Clarke's most loyal supporters for the Tory leadership, has said the party's euroscepticism may cost him the crown.

She told The Independent on Sunday: "I would like to think we have a chance but I think the party still defines itself in terms of the euro. Maybe I am just taking too much notice of the polls. There are a lot of them pointing to a Duncan Smith victory with a comfortable margin."

Ms Widdecombe added: "I like Iain but he is William (Hague) without the ability at the despatch box. He is Widdecombe without Widdecombe's flair at the party conference... I share all of his views but I cannot take him seriously as a leader."

Her anxiety was reinforced by another prominent Clarke supporter who said: "We are not going to win. The Tory Party membership is predominantly white, bigoted, prejudiced, stupid and quite frankly any anti-European candidate will win."

The Clarke supporter, who did not wish to be named, also criticised the former Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer as "too stubborn" to take advice for the campaign.

"We've advised him to stay off the euro, because it's a vote loser, but he is more obsessed with it than Duncan Smith. He was bad on the Newsnight debate because he didn't listen to advice."

Last night Mr Clarke angrily hit back. "Nobody who is on the road with us has any sense that we are losing. I am not claiming victory but I am confident we are ahead," he said.