KC/DC?

Most of the speculation around Westminster and the right of centre blogs revolves about the forthcoming Shadow Cabinet reshuffle. So I thought I'd add my own thoughts.

It's unusual for a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle to be so anticipated, usually they pass with only a small amount of comment. Of course this time the speculation has been mounting on the Ken Clarke Question? Should David Cameron bring Ken Clarke back?

The Tory right are fuming at the prospect of bringing this Europhile back into a front bench position, but should they be wary of Ken Clarke? In the Euro wars which inflicted so much damage on the Tory party, the right won. The Tories now oppose nearly every integrationist treaty and Euro membership. If Maastrict had happened now, the Tories would oppose. The Europhile wing of the party is vastly reduced in number and has virtually no sway on the party.

So should the right fear setting the cats amongst the apple cart by bringing back Ken Clarke? I don't think so. Unlike the Major Government when Europhiles and Europhobes were pretty much in equal number and tearing the party apart on a daily basis, the issue is resolved. It would be up to Ken to tow the party line, and any attempts to tie DC's hands over a Euro issue would be resolved with KC's exit. Ken Clarke would know this from the outset.

So what benefits could be gained? He was a fine Chancellor who did leave the present Government a golden legacy, he speaks with authority and he's a man of the people and not a part of the Notting Hill set. It has been a tragedy that this man has not been on the front line, and he is partly to blame for not wanting to put the hours in tackling the Government on a daily basis. But his presence, in the Business brief would soup up the Tory attack now, and they need it...

In one way, Gordon Brown bringing back Peter Mandelson was a sign that the Labour party could be reconciled after the TB-GBs. Bringing back Ken Clarke would be a sign that the Tories are back as a fully fighting force after the Euro wars.

So bring it on.

On a similar note, who else should be brought back and who should be let go. It's a shame David Davis did his foolish (but honourable) resignation last year, because he should be the next Home Secretary but I can't see DC giving him another chance this side of an election. I'd bring back Patrick Mercer too as he speaks with authority on defence. I think it's time for Caroline Spelman to go back to the back benches for a while, and so too Peter Ainsworth, he's just been too invisible. I wouldn't get rid of Alan Duncan, he's also got the common touch when explaining the Government's mess.

Anyway, my tuppence.

Squiffy.