The odd couple

THE more I see Ken Clarke and Peter Mandelson debate against each other, the more I’m drawn to the conclusion that they would not long survive without one another.

Just like a ying needs a yang, like a Nottingham needs a Forest or like an ‘eh up’ needs ‘mi duk’, Clarke needs a Mandy and Mandy needs a Clarke.

I’ve little doubt that when they both leave politics they will buy a country house together and spend their days bickering and insulting one other, while sitting in rocking chairs on the porch.

And if one were to die, the other – bereft of a verbal trampoline on which to bounce abuse – would simply waste away.


Just a taste of the Evening Post parliamentary correspondent’s column for tomorrow. I’ll link the full shebang in tomorrow morning.