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Clarke’s back and promptly takes aim at Mandelson
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent19 Jan 2009
DAVID Cameron today radically reshuffled his shadow Cabinet which included bringing back Ken Clarke as shadow business secretary.
The former chancellor marked his return to frontline politics by accusing Lord Mandelson — his opposite number in the Government — of failing to stop Labour's “wandering aimlessness” on the economy.
Mr Clarke, a noted Europhile, also vowed not to rock the Tory boat over Europe and warned that Britain faces the “gravest economic crisis” of his lifetime.
Mr Cameron said: “Ken was the last Chancellor of the Exchequer to lead this country out of recession. He will be part of what will be the best economic team in Britain.”
Mr Cameron also sought to strengthen his top team by effecting a job swap between populist Eric Pickles and Caroline Spelman.
Mr Pickles got Mrs Spelman's job as party chairman while Mrs Spelman, who is being investigated by the Commons watchdog over allegations that she used taxpayer's money to pay her nanny, replaces Mr Pickles as shadow communities secretary.
Tory “attack dog” Chris Grayling is appointed shadow home secretary amid Labour fears that crime could rise in a recession. He takes over from Dominic Grieve, who succeeded David Davis. The Mr Grieve who is also a QC now becomes shadow justice secretary.
There was confusion over the fate of rising star and Putney MP Justine Greening, with initial reports suggesting she was moving from the Treasury to the transport team but this was later denied and she was expected to become Mrs Spelman's deputy.
However, Mr Cameron risked accusations that he is not serious about boosting the influence of women at Westminster by cutting the number of female shadow cabinet members from seven to six.
The reshuffle spotlight, though, remained firmly on “big beast” Mr Clarke, 68, and especially on whether he will boost the Tory lead in the polls.
Labour immediately claimed the appointment of pro-European Mr Clarke would highlight “irreconcilable positions” within the Tory party.
Gordon Brown said: “It's good to have someone in the shadow cabinet who has supported our policy on Europe, supported our policy on VAT and is probably quietly supportive of many of our other policies.”
On a trade mission to India, Lord Mandelson added: “I am an old political friend of Ken Clarke and I welcome him to his new post.”
Shadow chancellor Mr Osborne denied that he would be overshadowed by Mr Clarke. “It's a fantastic addition to the frontbench,” he said.
However, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable suggested Mr Osborne should have been replaced by Mr Clarke. “He should obviously be shadow Chancellor — so there will be tensions,” he said.
Mr Cameron has trumpeted shadow foreign secretary William Hague as his deputy and is promoting shadow Europe minister Mark Francois to the shadow Cabinet — moves which will be seen as seeking to appease Rightwingers angry at Mr Clarke's comeback.
Alan Duncan moves to be shadow Commons Leader.
Cameron's major reshuffle
NEW ENTRY
Mark Francois, shadow Europe minister
The Eurosceptic MP's appointment to the shadow cabinet will be seen as counter-balancing Ken Clarke's return.
MOVED
Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary
The former shadow work and pensions secretary has soared through the ranks with his attacks on Labour sleaze.
Eric Pickles, Tory party chairman
The former shadow communities secretary is a tough-talking, populist ex-council leader who connects with Tory activists.
Dominic Grieve, shadow justice secretary
The former shadow home secretary is a highly cerebral barrister who has struggled to make an impact since taking over from David Davis last summer.
Alan Duncan, shadow Commons leader
The former shadow business secretary has been accused of failing to do enough in key economic post and was skiing when the shadow cabinet was deployed around the country this month.
Theresa May, shadow work and pensions secretary (was shadow Commons leader)
Cabinet minister James Purnell may feel he has an easier opponent in Mrs May than her predecessor Mr Grayling.
Nick Herbert, shadow environment secretary
The former shadow justice secretary is a moderniser with green credentials who is trusted with this portfolio.
Caroline Spelman, shadow communities secretary (was Tory party chairman)
A popular MP, but has had a quiet profile while she is investigated by the parliamentary watchdog over claims she used taxpayers' money to pay her nanny.
OUT
Peter Ainsworth (was shadow environment secretary)
He pays price for failing to damage Labour in this important policy area.
Reader views (17)
The Tories should have elected either Michael Portillo or Ken Clarke years and years ago. Both have the right amount of steel in them. Good to see Ken Clarke back - I hope he'll point out that it was him that put the economy in good order, not Gordon Brown
- Phil Day, Glastonbury UK, 20/01/2009 12:38
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No! He was great where he was as a rogue on the back benches - but it was him and his ilk that made everyone so relieved to vote in Tony Blair: EVERYONE! The Conservatives have moved on - with good reason.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 20/01/2009 09:24
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Incredible.
From sick man of Europe under Old Labour, to a Global Zombie now under McLabour.
Lay into them Clarkey!
- Dave, cumbria, 20/01/2009 08:46
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Yippee !!! Can't wait to see Ken in action. He's going to stomp all over Brown and Mandy. This is the man who led us out of the last recession, set the UK up as a major economic power only for it to be ruined by the half wits we have now.
Oh, and before anyone goes on about this being a 'global crisis', just note that Germany not only fixed the roof, they saved 250 billion Euro's!! What did Brown do? Turn Great Britain into Little Britain.
Game Over for Labour but, sadly, for the UK too.
- Sarit Shah, Hong Kong, 20/01/2009 06:20
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Another bright move, Dave.
You have almost completed the reinstatement the Conservative front bench that has made you unelectable for the last twelve years.
It looks as if the only "fresh" talent in your party is yourself and George Osborne and your silence during the banking collapse shows how little you both have to offer.
- Andrew W1, London, 19/01/2009 20:52
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Sell by date, what a mistake. Wheres Maggie?
- Bondy, london, 19/01/2009 20:24
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Good to see Eric Pickles promoted, I think he is just the plain speaking kind of man we need. Is he a Yorkshireman?Also great to see Ken Clarke back..Wish David Davis was more prominent. Anne. Wensleydale.
- Anne, Leyburn England, 19/01/2009 18:53
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There is little doubt that Clarke is an experienced economist, and that he will give Mandlieson a run for his money.
However, the danger that Calrke's pro EU views present cannot be overstated. He would sell us out to Brussels tomorrow; he must be kept in check on this issue.
He is also a sworn enemy of referenda and, if it were up to him, we would never get a referendum on the Lisbon Constitution, or on anything else.
He is a firm believer that we are all too dim to make the right choices. He simply cannot grasp the democratic principle that the "right choice" is the one that the electorate makes in its interest, not the one that he and his elitist chums think that we should make in theirs.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 19/01/2009 17:58
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Only a year ago Camoron and Redwood were complaining that there was too much regulation holding back our brilliant Bankers. Now Redwood and Osborne are gagged and Camoron is demonstrating chameleon like qualities to complain that the regulation of the Banking Sector was not strong enough. Only he has the Chutzpah to carry this off.
- P Lawson, Ilford England, 19/01/2009 17:28
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Clarke was a very successful chancellor for 6 years restoring the UK economy to consistent growth - His policies were copied by Brown in his first term in office until Brown went on a spending and credit bender that we are all paying for now - It seems that to have the person who saved us last time giving us all the benefit of his experience can't be a bad thing - If Gordon Brown wasn't the liar that he is and he had truely wanted a 'government of all the talents' - then Clarke, Vince Clable et al would be the sort of people you would have expected to be called upon at a time of Crisis - Unfortunately as Brown is an inadequate, incompetent with a massive chip on his shoulder he is frightened of having anyone around him who might be better than him or know more than him - Which is why his 'government of all the talents' include useless doors stops like Margaret Bucket, Darling, Blears, Wackie Spliff and the lying cheating Mandy! - Look, the bottom line is are we better or worse off after 12 years of Labour! They're talking about calling the IMF in! Need I say more!
- American Friend, New York, 19/01/2009 16:54
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It is a typical Camoron media stunt. Clarke comes in but only one of the under-performing Shadow Cabinet, his words, goes out. Osborne who is reduced to a silent shadow of his Leader is kept on in the background and Spellman is still under a cloud, despite Camoron's insistence that she has been cleared of all charges. Dithering Dave lacks the necssary Leadership skills.
- P Lawson, Ilford England, 19/01/2009 16:41
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In respect of Brown's recent comments that the country has no room for a government of novices, it will be delightful to witness Clark's possible forthcoming demonstration of the extent to which this country has been subject to a government of novices for the past 11 years, with Brown being the principal novice.
Brown's denial that his meddling in the banking oversight was not the cause of the current banking crisis, but that of the American banks, is the natural reaction of a novice. The display of blame that was exhibited at today's press conference by Brown and Darling astounded me, particularly as had there been proper oversight of the banks it would have been spotted years ago that the UK banks were going down a dangerous road. Any redress that is initiated in the future should be directed at Brown, not the bank's executives.
- Bingham Macnamara, lymington, hampshire, 19/01/2009 15:11
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Is this a comment on the sheer dullness of the available "new-blood" in the Tory party?
Mandy was dusted-off by GB, so what does Dave do? Pulls out a semi-retired pit bull from the bar in the Commons.
I'm not at all sure that Clarke is anywhere near the calibre of Mandy, but he's clearly a mile ahead of any of Dave's Dullards.
- Fresh, London, 19/01/2009 14:39
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welcome home ken!
- Michael Corby, London UK, 19/01/2009 14:26
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Excellent news. No reason at all that David & Ken can't work together to great effect. Typical hypocrisy of Labour to try and emphasise the differences between the two and hiow destructive that wouuld be. Of course we all know that there were absolutely NO differences of opinion between Gordon Brown and Peter Mandleson. They are and always have been the best of buddies & agreed on absolutely everything!!!!
- Malcolm, London, 19/01/2009 13:36
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Ken would only have come back if he believed the Conservatives would win the next election.
- Win Medway, Chatham Kent, 19/01/2009 12:29
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I sincerely hope Ken Clarke is not going bulldoze us into Europe
- R.F.Yorks, Yorks, UK, 19/01/2009 10:37
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