Poll result puts pressure on Clarke to stand

Kenneth Clarke today came under increased pressure to stand for the Tory leadership.

Supporters of the former chancellor believe he is best placed to oppose frontrunner David Davis.

Mr Clarke's prospects received a major boost with the French rejection of the EU constitution.

He would have been unlikely to have run if the French had ratified the treaty, as his avid pro-European stance would have set him at odds with the majority of his party.

The issue is now unlikely to play a major role in the leadership battle.

Today former health secretary Stephen Dorrell, one of Mr Clarke's key allies, suggested that the French result had created an opening.

He said: "If the French had voted yes, that would have meant that there was no possibility of Ken standing. In the circumstances, he has a decision to make."

Mr Clarke is still mulling over whether to stand, saying he will make up his mind "when the time comes". However, he has scoffed at suggestions that, at 64, he is too old for the job, saying: "My view is that you're as old as you feel."