The Ken Clarke campaign has its own website. [Thanks to 'Bellman' and 'AnotherNick' for pointing this out in the thread to the last entry.]
I think this is the first of the campaigns to go online for which KC's team deserve considerable credit... unless, of course, we count Wat Tyler's David Davis for Leader blog?
Wat surely counts as the unofficial chief cheerleader for Davis.
Ken has also emailed out (not sure who is on the list) outlining why he thinks he should be leader. Ive posted the email on my blog in case you're interested.
Posted by: Jonathan Sheppard | 31 August 2005 at 15:18
As I posted before, the site design is poor but at least it is up and running. Ken's campaign is off to a flying start.
The coverage is very good and shows that he has a professional and well organised team (take note Watlington).
That will impress those who recognise that we need to improve our campaigning skills and technology. It may help win support from undecided MPs.
The other candidates cannot afford to get left behind.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 31 August 2005 at 15:22
This is more of an opening salvo. A good start - but we all know that websites dont win elections. Not yet anyway.
Posted by: Jonathan Sheppard | 31 August 2005 at 15:26
Interestingly, there is a favourable reference to David Willetts on the site, in the 'case for Ken' page... My suspicion that a deal is on the cards (or has already been done) between these two (any takers for Shadow Chancellor Willetts?) continues to grow....
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | 31 August 2005 at 15:58
Sorry- quite possible I'm losing my remaining marbles- but all I get on KC's link is "LANZ- Under Construction". (which I also got earlier when I tried the link from Guido's site- I assumed the whole thing was a Fawksian prank).
I think therefore DDFL remains the only show in town.
Posted by: Wat Tyler | 31 August 2005 at 17:32
Ugh. What a user unfriendly site and what a lot of spin.
Apparently creating OFSTED and league tables was a good thing, as opposes to the very measures that led to the need to meet performance targets distorting educational outcomes.
If he was a "radical" and "reforming" Education Secretary, why didn't he introduce the voucher schemes that Conservatives had promised since the early 80s? Or is actual change too radical?
Posted by: James Hellyer | 31 August 2005 at 18:17
I too suspect that the Willetts deal has been done - possibly part of the CPS Ken fan club.
Wat, the Clarke campaign have marked your card and your IP address is probably barred from access.
James, Ken is a managerialist rather than a reformer.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 31 August 2005 at 19:55
"James, Ken is a managerialist rather than a reformer."
That, Selsdon, was my point, but it's not one you'd get from KenClarke.co.uk!
Posted by: James Hellyer | 31 August 2005 at 20:04
I must protest, AnotherNick and I supplied the URL at the same time, Bellman merely requested it
"This should deliver what David Willetts describes as 'a stronger, more flexible economy and a better society.'"
It sounds like he's pitching for the well-respected Willetts vote, I would be surprised if DW chose sides this early though Daniel. Although DW's support would be a boon, theres still a chance Cameron could win in which case Osborne or Letwin might get the role instead.
Posted by: Sam Coates | 31 August 2005 at 20:13
I doubt Ken Clarke would be making all this ballyhoo about Willetts if they hadn't done a deal.
Clarke would look very stupid if he praised Willetts to the rafters only for him to endorse another candidate.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 31 August 2005 at 20:17
"theres still a chance Cameron could win in which case Osborne or Letwin might get the role instead."
Oliver Letwin asked Michael Howard for a more junior role in the last reshuffle. After his performance as Shadow Chancellor, a role he never seemed comfortable with, I doubt he's return to that position.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 31 August 2005 at 20:29
Association with Willetts widely respected 'thoughtful approach' and ideology can only help his credibility in the media. Joining the leadership contest was risky enough, that is a small risk i'm sure he could take.
Posted by: Sam Coates | 31 August 2005 at 20:31
It's hardly a small risk to have someone you build up turn around and do the Davis dash or the Fox trot.
That would be a masive blow to Clarke. It would say that Clarke rates Willetts, but that Willetts does not rate Clarke.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 31 August 2005 at 20:36
I agree, although I think all this talk about 'ballyhoo' and 'praising to the rafters' is something of an exaggeration, unless there is more than just the one mention on his site?
Posted by: Sam Coates | 31 August 2005 at 20:39
Ken's Daily Mail interview contained the following:
"I am a great fan of David Willetts. I think his nickname, Two Brains, is fully justified. I don't regard David as just a backroom boy. He's been kept there for a bit too long."
Posted by: James Hellyer | 31 August 2005 at 20:45
I did read that interview actually, ok so that makes two mentions.. I was just playing devils advocate really.
I would be happy if there has been a deal between the two of them, in the interests of DWs ideas and of keeping Davis from the top spot.
Posted by: Sam Coates | 31 August 2005 at 20:50
If Wat is DD's unofficial cheerleader, Iain Dale is his official one, which led to the ending of his blog a couple of months ago. Time to take the link off the UK sites section?
Posted by: Sam Coates | 31 August 2005 at 20:58
Note the backing of an impressive 3 people on the home page. Including of course Tarzan.
Posted by: EU Serf | 01 September 2005 at 10:33
Interesting editorial in today's Speccy - apparently dishing Clarke on the grounds that "Europe matters". But I thought that Boris (and Oborne, for that matter) were fans of Clarke?!
Posted by: Mark S | 01 September 2005 at 12:57
Whoops, reading on, I now see that I am mistaken - in his Diary column, Boris endorses David Cameron.
Posted by: Mark S | 01 September 2005 at 12:58
Ken needs high-profile support from the centre-right. The centre-left, on its own, cannot deliver victory - even if he picks up most of Cameron's support. The ambitious Willetts would fit the bill perfectly. Tessa Keswick could have brokered the deal.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 01 September 2005 at 13:29
I see Ken Clarke now has the endorsement of a fourth backer floating around his website: Lord Deedes.
It's another one of those "he might make a good opposition leader (but probably won't get into government)" pieces.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 13 September 2005 at 10:10
I see Ken Clarke now has the endorsement of a fourth backer floating around his website: Lord Deedes.
It's another one of those "he might make a good opposition leader (but probably won't get into government)" pieces.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 13 September 2005 at 10:10
I see Ken Clarke now has the endorsement of a fourth backer floating around his website: Lord Deedes.
It's another one of those "he might make a good opposition leader (but probably won't get into government)" pieces.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 13 September 2005 at 10:12
I see Ken Clarke now has the endorsement of a fourth backer floating around his website: Lord Deedes.
It's another one of those "he might make a good opposition leader (but probably won't get into government)" pieces.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 13 September 2005 at 10:13