Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Harry Clarke CH QC, often known as Ken Clarke, is a British Conservative politician who has represented Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire as a Member of Parliament since 1970...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth2 July 1940
allowed cannot european four last less opposition policy talking time views work
I cannot remember a time in opposition - I am talking about the last four years - when we have done less work on policy and more on slogans. But because of my European views I wasn't allowed to participate.
britain dangerous decision disastrous invade iraq
The disastrous decision to invade Iraq has made Britain a more dangerous place,
hunting law house
With the greatest respect, we do not make the criminal law on the basis of opinion polls. A majority of 9:1 could be in favour of a ban in my constituency, but I would not regard that as conclusive, and I hope that we never would. If we start having opinion polls about all the unpleasant and distasteful habits and customs of some members of society, and suggesting that their findings should be made part of the criminal law, foxhunting would come way down the list, and quite a lot of strange enactments would have to go through the House.
sorry party years
I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as a party you do have to face up to some painful facts and you do have to change.
country differences cost
Energetic action on debt would make a radical difference to the prospects of many of the poorest countries in the world, at no practical cost to creditor countries.
believe law bombs
However, we do not lack anti-terrorist laws. I do not believe that the recent London bombs were the result of any deficiencies in our legal system.
party eight years
I am getting frustrated by the fact that we have been out of office for eight years. I desperately want to lead the Conservative Party to make quicker progress back into power.
thinking people age
I don't think at my age... you can start ruling people out in politics.
nursing ministers prime
Of course I'd have loved to be Prime Minister. But I'm not nursing a grievance.
war iraq leaving
It would be immoral to walk away from the consequences of our actions, leaving behind anarchy and civil war in Iraq.
trying politics influence
I have certainly not got re-elected to retire, and I shall certainly start trying to push my influence in politics as far as I possibly can
europe agendas addresses
A balanced tone on Europe will free us to address in depth the domestic economic and social agenda which we neglected throughout the last Parliament.
home thinking wings
In these home affairs things I think occasionally it's the duty of politicians on both sides to turn round to the tabloids and right-wing newspapers and say 'you have your facts wrong and you're whipping up facts which are inaccurate
business abiding difficult
I have acquired a deep and abiding respect for all those engaged in the difficult business of commerce.