Ken on form

Despite speculation, Ken Clarke has publicly said that neither he, nor anybody else, should replace George Osborne as shadow chancellor.

The Rushcliffe MP's name has been one – the other was William Hague – bandied around as someone who could rescue the Tories' waning financial policy.

But the former chancellor said such a change would be a huge political mistake.

However it's worth noting that the Government seems to be picking up on Ken's suggestions recently, even if Cameron isn’t.

He was the first to call for a cut in VAT and for using the dualling of the A46 as part of a public spending programme, both of which should be announced in the Pre-Budget Report later today.