Ken Clarke's public support reaches 26 this evening with the news that James Arbuthnot (William Hague's Chief Whip) and former Rifkind supporter, Andrew Pelling have endorsed him. David Cameron picks up the support of three more MPs: Maria Miller (the new MP for Basingstoke), Peter Lilley (a leadership candidate in 1997 and former Deputy Tory Leader) and Graham Stuart (a new MP associated with the Cornerstone Group).
That puts Clarke within a few votes of Fox and Cameron. He still needs some of his former supporters to defect back from Davis to get through round one. It is going to be close tomorrow night.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 17 October 2005 at 18:34
And very exciting. I expect Clarke to beat Fox tomorrow and, true believer that I am, think Clarke has a better chance in the second round
than most credit him with.
Posted by: christopher owen | 17 October 2005 at 18:47
Its a toss up between the two. I hope that Clarke will get through to the second round but dont expect him to go much further. When will the result be out?
Posted by: James Maskell | 17 October 2005 at 18:50
When will the result be out?
5.20 pm or thereabouts, I think.
Posted by: Michael Smith | 17 October 2005 at 18:52
Cheers Michael.
Posted by: James Maskell | 17 October 2005 at 18:54
Backing Fox over Clarke tommorrow will show we have learn't nothing. Fox represents our own self indulgence (not reaching out beyond our own wants and thus base support)election defeat and failed opposition politics. Clarke...one nation politics, economic competence 40% general popular appeal = ELECTION VICTORY, TORY GOVERNMENT
Posted by: Matt | 17 October 2005 at 21:03
Why is Graham Stuart associated with the Tombstone Grp? He's an atheist, pro-equality and member of the Tory Reform Grp. Fox will drop out as DD supports - i.e. Ian Taylor - will defect back to Clarke.
The golden outcome will be that Clarke and Cameron will be the final two. Failing that, they would make a good 'dream ticket'. Davis will be lucky to poll 40 votes (possibly behind Clarke). Cameron to top the ballot and Fox to go (hopefully) in tomorrow's vote.
Posted by: Justin Hinchcliffe | 17 October 2005 at 21:33
Why is Graham Stuart associated with the Tombstone Grp? He's an atheist, pro-equality and member of the Tory Reform Grp.
That's why we all wondered why Cornersone listed him as a supporter on their website. However his name is no longer there.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 17 October 2005 at 21:40
'The golden outcome will be that Clarke and Cameron will be the final two. Failing that, they would make a good 'dream ticket'. Davis will be lucky to poll 40 votes (possibly behind Clarke). Cameron to top the ballot and Fox to go (hopefully) in tomorrow's vote.'
I hope your correct about tommorrow Justin
Posted by: Matt | 17 October 2005 at 21:47
Justin, that seems like wishful thinking on your part.
Posted by: Sean Fear | 17 October 2005 at 21:49
Frankly Justin you are living in a fantasy land. If Fox goes out in the first round his right wing supporters will go to Davis in round two.
Posted by: Richard Allen | 17 October 2005 at 23:07
But Clarke's supporters will switch to Cameron (there are more of them than for Fox). I am confident that Fox will be knocked out and that David Davis, should he make the final two, will never be Leader.
Posted by: Justin Hinchcliffe | 17 October 2005 at 23:17
Selsdon Man and James Maskell are spot on.
As a parliamentary Conservative candidate last May in a North East Labour stronghold all the anti-Government votes went to the Lib Dems.
Which leader will be more likely to correct this disastrous electoral trend for the Conservatives?
David Cameron has a more acute understanding of the social changes the party needs to bring about to make itself re-electable again.
For that reason he should be appointed the next Party Chairman to help the party reach out to the floating voters, leaving it to Ken CLarke to use his experience of government to help shape the next Conservative cabinet!
Posted by: Michael Windridge | 17 October 2005 at 23:21
Justin, I was refering to you assertion that Davis will be lucky to get 40 votes.
Posted by: Richard Allen | 17 October 2005 at 23:25
The reasons Lib Dems gained from Labour are that they are to the left of Labour and were anti-Iraw War.
Or are you suggesting Cameron will ape Lib Dem positions, Michael?
Posted by: James Hellyer | 17 October 2005 at 23:27
The Conservative Party can only regain power if we elect David Cameron or Ken Clarke. Liberal Democrat and Labour voters won't support us in the place that matters - the ballot box - if we elect David or Fox. Both men do not understand, nor want to, 21st century Britain. I am astonished that MPs like Brian Binley, David Burrowes, Edward Leigh, Andrew Rosindell, Gerald Howarth et al see no need for the Party to change but for the public to do so by through introducing a mixture of Victorian attitudes and authoritarian policies.
Posted by: Justin Hinchcliffe | 17 October 2005 at 23:31
Davis has 66 pledges. Most of them declared, for careerist reasons, for the 'front runner'. Now that it's clear that Davis will not become Leader (even if he does make the final two), they'll switch to other camps. I would like to be a fly on the wall in the ballot box with, of course, a torch!
Posted by: Justin Hinchcliffe | 17 October 2005 at 23:35
Do you think that there is nothing wrong with 21st Century Britain, Justin?
David Burrowes and Andrew Rosindell have both pulled off huge swings against Labour, which suggests they each have quite a good understanding of how to win elections.
Posted by: Sean Fear | 17 October 2005 at 23:43
Does anyone else sign up to the view that if Fox were to drop out today his support would tactically back Ken? This would move Cameron to third place and give Davis a better chance with the membership. A little over the top perhaps but it could well work if they wish to ensure that neither Cameron nor Clarke get it.
Posted by: Tim Hughes | 18 October 2005 at 15:48
I would have thought he would have backed Davis but to be honest I dont know much about the relationships between the candidates so I cant really say. How does Fox and Clarke get on? Any major grievances apart from Europe of course?
Posted by: James Maskell | 18 October 2005 at 15:58