Anti Clarke Movement

Someone else has responded to the news that Clarke is considering standing for the leadership.

John Strafford, chairman of the Campaign for Conservative Democracy, said Mr Clarke did not have the support of the grassroots of the party because of his views on Europe. He said ordinary members would be "sick in their stomach" to see Mr Clarke share a platform with Tony Blair to argue for a "yes" vote in the EU constitution referendum.

The disaster that was IDS was a direct result of Conservative MPs selecting as one of the options a man whose beliefs are so much at odds with much of his party. I’m sure that many who voted for IDS knew that it was a mistake but couldn’t bring themselves to vote the other way. Clarke as leader would spit the party, especially with a referendum coming up.