May must stay for sake of Brexit and economy – Clarke
THERESa May will lead the Tories through Brexit as there is ‘no prospect’ of her being replaced ‘ by anybody sensible’, Ken Clarke declared last night.
The former chancellor said discussions about a potential leadership challenge were a distraction from the important business of leaving the EU.
He dismissed the idea of a ‘Strictly Come Dancing-style contest’, and said MPs should be concentrating on the economy and arrangements for the future of the country.
in an interview with Sky news, Mr Clarke said Mrs May had the job of ‘presiding over a smooth transition’ for at least the next two to three years as we leave the EU.
and he dismissed the idea that she could be replaced by someone such as backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg.
‘it’s our children and our grandchildren we should be thinking about, not next week’s newspaper headlines and can we have fun with a Strictly Come Dancing- style contest between people who want to be PM,’ he said.
‘Theresa May is there. There is no prospect of her being replaced by anybody sensible, in any sensible process.
‘For the next two or three years, Theresa has got the job of presiding over a smooth transition, through a long transition period, to an arrangement that, at least, will minimise the damage in a few years’ time.’ The Conservative heavyweight said his party turned to talk about leadership elections whenever serious subjects, such as Brexit, were being discussed.
He added: ‘ whenever the Conservative party can’t think of anything to do, it tends to have a leadership crisis, when it’s rather puzzled by policies.
‘The things we’ve been talking about [like Brexit]... they are quite complicated. They are difficult.
‘Eurosceptic campaigners offered simplicity – it’s all Brussels’ fault... leave the EU and with one bound we are free and a brave new world will emerge. well, that is nonsense.
‘it’s no use diverting ourselves by saying, “would Jacob Rees-Mogg be a 21st century prime minister,” which i suspect Jacob thinks is rather a silly question especially at this stage of his career.’
Mr Clarke continued: ‘our economy is in a very worrying state. we need, as soon as possible, an assurance that in trade terms our arrangements with Europe are going to carry on for some years as they are now.’
Speculation that Mr ReesMogg could become a contender for Tory leader was sparked by a Conservative Home poll which found he was more popular than anyone in the Cabinet.
However, his odds were lengthened after he told good Morning Britain that – as a Catholic – he did not support abortion under any circumstances.
Dominic Raab, the justice minister, was asked whether he would consider taking over from Mrs May, after he came third in the same poll.
He dismissed the idea as disrespectful to Mrs May.
He said: ‘if i was working for a business and i was walking around the canteen with other workers, talking about who was going to be the next boss, talking about that with clients, most people think it would be rude and grossly unprofessional, which is why i’m not going to give that tittle- tattle any succour at all.’