Commitment

Like Lord Lucan, Ken Clarke has been missing for years. If he fails to win, it seems he is likely to go into hibernation once again.

Mr Clarke said he did not know whether he would serve on the Tory front bench if he failed to win the leadership contest. It would depend on whether he was asked, what job he was offered and whether he thought he would be "parked" on the front bench for six months before being fired.

He may not know, but I would bet large sums of money that he won’t. Someone who wants to lead the party should at least show a little interest in serving it.