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| Clarke in Tory front bench return | Clarke in Tory front bench return |
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| Former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke will return to the Conservative front bench as part of a major reshuffle on Monday, BBC News has learned. | Former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke will return to the Conservative front bench as part of a major reshuffle on Monday, BBC News has learned. |
| Tory leader David Cameron has given the role of shadow business secretary to his former party leadership rival. | Tory leader David Cameron has given the role of shadow business secretary to his former party leadership rival. |
| The move will see Mr Clarke take on fellow returning big-hitter Lord Mandelson, in setting out how to help firms through the economic turmoil. | The move will see Mr Clarke take on fellow returning big-hitter Lord Mandelson, in setting out how to help firms through the economic turmoil. |
| Current shadow business secretary Alan Duncan will be offered another post. | Current shadow business secretary Alan Duncan will be offered another post. |
| Mr Clarke, 68, met David Cameron for lunch at the shadow chancellor George Osborne's west London home on Saturday to agree the basis of his return, according to BBC political editor Nick Robinson. | |
| "The hope is he brings real firepower to that Tory front bench and also quite a lot of understanding of the plight they may face if they do make it into government," said Mr Robinson. | "The hope is he brings real firepower to that Tory front bench and also quite a lot of understanding of the plight they may face if they do make it into government," said Mr Robinson. |
| Conservative sources claim the idea first came from Mr Osborne and that he had a preliminary meeting with Mr Clarke some time ago. Cameron and Clarke have agreed to disagree on Europe Nick RobinsonBBC political editor | Conservative sources claim the idea first came from Mr Osborne and that he had a preliminary meeting with Mr Clarke some time ago. Cameron and Clarke have agreed to disagree on Europe Nick RobinsonBBC political editor |
| On Sunday, shadow foreign secretary William Hague described Mr Clarke as "a very talented politician with a great deal to contribute in the present economic climate". | |
| Asked if he would return to the Tory front-line, Mr Hague said: "I think that in many senses has already happened". | Asked if he would return to the Tory front-line, Mr Hague said: "I think that in many senses has already happened". |
| However, the idea of Mr Clarke's return had been attacked by euro-sceptics Norman Tebbit, John Redwood and Tory donor, Sir Stuart Wheeler. | However, the idea of Mr Clarke's return had been attacked by euro-sceptics Norman Tebbit, John Redwood and Tory donor, Sir Stuart Wheeler. |
| Mr Clarke's pro European views - in particular, his support for Britain scrapping the pound and joining the Euro - have alienated him from the mainstream of his party. | Mr Clarke's pro European views - in particular, his support for Britain scrapping the pound and joining the Euro - have alienated him from the mainstream of his party. |
| This ensured that he lost leadership contests in 1997, 2001 and 2005, despite strong public support. | This ensured that he lost leadership contests in 1997, 2001 and 2005, despite strong public support. |
| Our political editor said: "The issue of Europe is still a live one since some now argue that the current economic crisis demonstrates the case for the Euro. | Our political editor said: "The issue of Europe is still a live one since some now argue that the current economic crisis demonstrates the case for the Euro. |
| "Also, the Tories are opposed to the Lisbon EU Treaty which Clarke has backed." | "Also, the Tories are opposed to the Lisbon EU Treaty which Clarke has backed." |
| 'Criminal' VAT cut | 'Criminal' VAT cut |
| However, he added that Conservative sources had indicated Mr Clarke and his party leader had "agreed to disagree" on the issue. | However, he added that Conservative sources had indicated Mr Clarke and his party leader had "agreed to disagree" on the issue. |
| Mr Clarke also suggested cutting VAT to 15% before Chancellor Alastair Darling announced the measure in November's pre-budget report. | Mr Clarke also suggested cutting VAT to 15% before Chancellor Alastair Darling announced the measure in November's pre-budget report. |
| However, he later criticised the circumstances in which the government implemented the change, insisting that it could not fund the move. | |
| The policy has since been branded "a criminal waste of money" by Mr Cameron. | The policy has since been branded "a criminal waste of money" by Mr Cameron. |
| But Mr Clarke, MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire since 1970, remains popular with the public, who recognise him for his love of cigars, jazz and classic cars. | But Mr Clarke, MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire since 1970, remains popular with the public, who recognise him for his love of cigars, jazz and classic cars. |
| And the move is seen by some as a counter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision to bring back Lord Mandelson as Business Secretary in October. | And the move is seen by some as a counter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision to bring back Lord Mandelson as Business Secretary in October. |
| His appointment coincided with a boost to Labour's previously flagging poll ratings. | |
| Mr Clarke brings a wealth of experience to the shadow cabinet, having served as Health, Education and Home Secretaries, as well as Chancellor, between 1988 and 1997. | Mr Clarke brings a wealth of experience to the shadow cabinet, having served as Health, Education and Home Secretaries, as well as Chancellor, between 1988 and 1997. |