Ken Clarke’s prisoner plan is torn up by David Cameron
originally by: The First Post
8th June 2011
How long can Ken Clarke last after being called in by David Cameron and having his controversial plans for a 50 per cent discount on jail torn up before his eyes? The word from the Ken Bunker is that he is “not in the mood to be finessed” and that either there’s going to be an ugly confrontation or the old bruiser might decide this is one humiliation too far and retire to the backbenches.
The fact is Clarke’s plan for cutting the jail terms of offenders who plead guilty at an early stage caused outrage among Tory grass-roots activists who were appalled to see Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, stealing the Conservatives’ ‘law and order’ mantle.
As a result, Cameron returned from his holiday in Ibiza with law and order top of his list of priorities. He also appears to have got the message that unless he gets a grip on Downing Street fast, his premiership will be a one-term wonder.
He now seems determined to keep closer control on issues, and scrap the collegiate approach among the Cabinet chums, whom he was trusting to have the political nous to get on with their portfolios while he got on with running the country.
Cameron was keen to avoid the micro-management that turned Gordon Brown into the Madman of Number Ten. But too many policy screw-ups have ensued.
