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Clarke calls for decisive Budget Clarke calls for decisive Budget
(10 minutes later)
Gordon Brown can "put to bed" claims that he is indecisive by producing a Budget that gives a clear sense of Labour's identity, Charles Clarke says.Gordon Brown can "put to bed" claims that he is indecisive by producing a Budget that gives a clear sense of Labour's identity, Charles Clarke says.
The ex-home secretary says green issues need to be at the heart of Alistair Darling's first Budget as chancellor.The ex-home secretary says green issues need to be at the heart of Alistair Darling's first Budget as chancellor.
This could finally end "uncertainties" around the PM following his decision not to hold an election, he said.This could finally end "uncertainties" around the PM following his decision not to hold an election, he said.
He added that some Labour MPs believe it is inevitable David Cameron will win the next general election.He added that some Labour MPs believe it is inevitable David Cameron will win the next general election.
Mr Clarke, who was sacked from Tony Blair's government in May 2006, said Mr Brown had been dogged by the indecisive-tag since he allowed speculation about an autumn general election to run out of control.Mr Clarke, who was sacked from Tony Blair's government in May 2006, said Mr Brown had been dogged by the indecisive-tag since he allowed speculation about an autumn general election to run out of control.
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"I think that's where it got hung round his neck," he told Sky News."I think that's where it got hung round his neck," he told Sky News.
"But I think he's tried to take steps since Christmas - by sharpening up his operation internally and by trying to address some of these questions to solve that problem."But I think he's tried to take steps since Christmas - by sharpening up his operation internally and by trying to address some of these questions to solve that problem.
"Whether he succeeds or not is what we will have to see. The Budget is an important moment tomorrow because it can put to bed some of those uncertainties that flowed around before Christmas.""Whether he succeeds or not is what we will have to see. The Budget is an important moment tomorrow because it can put to bed some of those uncertainties that flowed around before Christmas."
I think Alistair is showing himself as his own man - tomorrow is his chance to do that Charles ClarkeI think Alistair is showing himself as his own man - tomorrow is his chance to do that Charles Clarke
Asked whether ex-chancellor Mr Brown would allow Mr Darling to be his own man and run his own Budget, Mr Clarke said: "I know that is said of Gordon and I have had those worries myself as well.Asked whether ex-chancellor Mr Brown would allow Mr Darling to be his own man and run his own Budget, Mr Clarke said: "I know that is said of Gordon and I have had those worries myself as well.
"But I think Alistair is showing himself as his own man - tomorrow is his chance to do that."But I think Alistair is showing himself as his own man - tomorrow is his chance to do that.
"He's a man who does have green aspirations - that's what he wants to do. He's a very intelligent man, but tomorrow's his big day. He really has to come over and show what he's made of.""He's a man who does have green aspirations - that's what he wants to do. He's a very intelligent man, but tomorrow's his big day. He really has to come over and show what he's made of."
Mr Clarke admitted there were some in his own party who had already conceded defeat at the next election.Mr Clarke admitted there were some in his own party who had already conceded defeat at the next election.
Return of Clarke?Return of Clarke?
"There are some, but I think that's a very, very dangerous line indeed," he said."There are some, but I think that's a very, very dangerous line indeed," he said.
"The next election, which I think will be in May 2010, there's all to play for."The next election, which I think will be in May 2010, there's all to play for.
"It is not at all clear what will happen at that next election."It is not at all clear what will happen at that next election.
"I think we in Labour have to come over very, very strongly, very clearly with our own sense of identity and this issue of green subjects sustainability I think needs to be at the core of that.""I think we in Labour have to come over very, very strongly, very clearly with our own sense of identity and this issue of green subjects sustainability I think needs to be at the core of that."
And Mr Clarke said he would be happy to make a return to government.And Mr Clarke said he would be happy to make a return to government.
"I said to Gordon if he ever wanted me to work in his government, I would be delighted too. I don't expect that to be the case, but you never know in politics.""I said to Gordon if he ever wanted me to work in his government, I would be delighted too. I don't expect that to be the case, but you never know in politics."