Clarke To 'Eyeball' Mandelson In Tory Cabinet Role

Veteran Tory MP Kenneth Clarke has stepped back into front line politics, in a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle that will see him come head-to-head with Business Secretary Peter Mandelson.

The former Conservative Chancellor said he was delighted to return to his party's front bench, in a move aimed at increasing the Tory's economic gravitas.

Mr Clarke worked from Number 11 Downing Street, under Prime Minister John Major, between 1993 and 1997.

Business spokesman Alan Duncan will move aside, in a reshuffle Conservative leader David Cameron has hailed as the making of "the best economic team in Britain".

"He was the last Chancellor of the Exchequer to take the country out of a recession. He has a huge amount of experience," Mr Cameron told Sky News.

"He will make up part of what I'm sure will be the best economic team in Britain."

Mr Clarke was reportedly approached by Shadow Chancellor George Osbourne about joining the Tory front benchers.

Mr Osbourne played down suggestions Mr Clarke's pro-European leanings would put him at odds with the party's core supporters.

"I think having him on board brings enormous expertise and experience, it strengthens the Conservative economic team and offers the country a real alternative government ready to take office," said Mr Osbourne.

Mr Clarke made it clear he believed the only way to rescue the economy is a change of government.

"It really matters that the Conservative Party wins the next election. It matters for our economy, it matters for our society," he said.

"It is going to be a historically important election and I don't want to sit on the sidelines.

"I want to be out on the pitch fighting for the change Britain needs," said the newly appointed Shadow Business Secretary.

Other significant changes to the Tory's front bench included the promotion of Chris Grayling to Shadow Home Secretary.

Theresa May will step into Mr Grayling's former Shadow Work and Pensions post.

The new Shadow Justice Secretary Dominic Grieve, who vacated his spot for Mr Grayling, is said to be pleased with the move.

Mr Grieve's predecessor Nick Herbert will become Shadow Environment Secretary.

The party's chairmanship has been conferred upon Eric Pickles, lately Shadow Communities Secretary.

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley will all remain in their current posts.

Today's Conservative reshuffle came as Chancellor Alistair Darling unveiled another massive multi-million pound bank bail-out scheme.

(PR/JM)