The brass neck of Kenneth Clarke

When a person recants views you regard as daft, wrong-headed and dangerous, and does so in such an emphatic way, it is tempting to stretch out your arms, embrace the fella, say, “Good on you mate, let bygones be bygones, have a beer,” and so forth. No doubt former Tory Chancellor and arch Europhile Kenneth Clarke figured that might be the response of the political and media cognoscenti when he said the Euro was a dog, the EU Constitution a joke, etc.

Sorry Ken, no sale. There is something not quite right and rather galling about a Eufanatic like Clarke suddenly turning his back on his views. In his way, Clarke, by taking such a strong pro-euro stand, delayed the time at which the party could gather around a unified position and did damage in its fightback for power. His “conversion” looks all too conveniently timed for his tilt at the Tory Party leadership contest under way. The cynicism of it, even by the low standards of politics, is astonishing. Had Clarke come out emphatically against the euro and the whole assault on our freedoms from Europe 10 years ago, the Tory leadership would now be his. He was quite a decent Chancellor, actually. The whole schtick of his brown scruffy shoes, fondness for a pint, jazz and football goes down well with the duller elements of the British electorate. He came across as a good bloke. But the truth will out eventually. Clarke is one of the most ruthless operators in modern politics. The “blokeish” image, I am afraid, is past its sell by date. I’m not buying, and neither will the Tory Party, I bet.

David Davis remains the best bet for the Tories.

Update: Matthew D’Ancona examines the possibility of the Clarke leadership.