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Clarke in Tory front bench return Clarke in Tory front bench return
(about 9 hours later)
Former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke will return to the Conservative front bench as part of a major reshuffle on Monday, BBC News has learned. David Cameron has hailed the return of ex-chancellor Kenneth Clarke to the Conservative front bench team.
Tory leader David Cameron has given the role of shadow business secretary to his former party leadership rival. He said Mr Clarke was a "big figure" who would take the role of shadow business secretary as part of the "best economic team in Britain".
The move will see Mr Clarke, 68, 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, 68, take on fellow returning big-hitter Lord Mandelson in what is a crucial area as the economic turmoil continues.
Current shadow business secretary Alan Duncan will be offered another post.Current shadow business secretary Alan Duncan will be offered another post.
Mr Clarke 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.Mr Clarke 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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/">Nick Robinson's blog 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 Nick Robinson's blogAnalysis: Heavyweight return
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".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 large parts of his party.
This ensured that he lost leadership contests in 1997, 2001 and 2005, despite strong public support. His pro-European views are given as the reason for his failed leadership bids 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. Nick Robinson 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.
class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYI'm not a Tory supporter or voter but Ken Clarke is one of the few politicians I trust and likeBen Platt, Liverpool class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5926&edition=1&ttl=20090118224010">Send us your comments Mr Clarke also suggested cutting VAT to 15% before Chancellor Alistair 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.However, he later criticised the circumstances in which the government implemented the change, insisting that it could not fund the move.
HAVE YOUR SAYI'm not a Tory supporter or voter but Ken Clarke is one of the few politicians I trust and likeBen Platt, Liverpool Send us your comments
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.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.