In an interview with today's Independent, Ken Clarke says that there is a "gulf" between Tony Blair and the Labour Party and criticises Gordon Brown for returning to tax and spend policies.

When questioned on The Tory party's current position on Europe, the former Tory chancellor says: "The main thing they've done is shut up about it and allow everybody a free range of views.

"There are one or two members of the shadow cabinet where I haven't got the first idea what their views are apart from Europe, where they are very extreme, but I am looking forward to discovering they are Tories like me on the economy and public services and social services."