Give Clarke poll role, say Tories

Senior Conservatives are pressing for Kenneth Clarke to be given a bigger role in the Tory election campaign.

Tory modernisers claim Mr Clarke's popular approach could help seal support from undecided voters put off by Mr Howard's style of leadership.

They claim a campaign featuring Mr Clarke and Michael Howard would prove a perfect foil to the Gordon Brown-Tony Blair double act.

"The public like Ken," said one Conservative. "He was an excellent Chancellor with a good story to tell about tax."

Calls for Mr Clarke's return came as Mr Howard admitted his party was "two goals down at half time". A former senior adviser to the Tory leader, Matt Jones, says the Conservatives have not yet done enough to broaden their appeal.