I’m afraid I have what might be shocking news – Ken Clarke is quite right-wing. He may hold heterodox views on Europe (a conviction that cost him the party leadership on multiple occasions), but Clarke’s reputation as a Tory ‘wet’ belies both his record and his admiration for Margaret Thatcher.
That he recently came out in support of the government’s Rwanda policy was a surprise only to those who misunderstand the man. Clarke vibes to the centre and votes right, as many skilful politicians do. The lesser-spotted successful left-wing politicians in Britain do it too, only the inverse.
