In my dealings with him I have always found him to be insufferably arrogant and his fanatical pro-single currency views never endeared him to me either.

But Mr Clarke's arrogance at least means he is unafraid to speak his mind.

He is surely right to call time on the the miserable premiership of Gordon Brown. The Prime Minister had his chance to seek a mandate this time last year and bottled it. Since then his temperamental unsuitability to lead the nation has become painfully obvious.

Mr Brown has led Britain into an economic cul-de-sac. He has soaked the hardworking middle classes for tax and given their money to feckless scroungers. Now there is precious little incentive for anyone to get out of bed in the morning. He has borrowed recklessly. He has thrown cash at unreformed public services.

All those sick of this Government should sit back and enjoy the spectacle of the Labour Party tearing itself apart. With any luck the next few mon...

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