Set for a return?

The defeated Tory leadership contender Kenneth Clarke has suggested that he would be prepared to join Iain Duncan Smith's shadow cabinet.

Despite initially saying he would stay on the backbenches if he failed to get the top job, Clarke has signalled that a return to the shadow cabinet could be on the cards.

In an interview with this website, the former chancellor says he will "never say never" about a return to the opposition frontbench - although he says he is not "wanting" or "expecting to go on the front bench".

But asked if he would consider a position in a shadow cabinet led by Iain Duncan Smith, Clarke told epolitix.com: "It depends what job and depends what he expects me to say about the policy of the party," he said.

His new approach is in stark contrast to his position in the Tory leadership election - during which he ruled out returning to any shadow position except as leader.

Despite his comments, Clarke says he is "perfectly absorbed in politics doing what I'm doing as a back bencher".

The former chancellor maintains, however, that the current leadership has made a dramatic error by ruling out membership of the single currency on principle.

"I think one of the biggest mistakes is Iain saying never to the single currency," he said.