THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron's decision to bring back Ken Clarke was called into question after it emerged the new shadow business secretary had condemned a key plank of his Tory social policy.
Mr Clarke apparently dismissed the idea of encouraging marriage through the tax system as "social engineering", and warned that the Tory leader was taking on the attitudes of the American "religious right".
The explosive comments – reported to have been made at a seminar in Nottingham last month, before he joined the shadow cabinet – will heighten speculation of major differences between the former chancellor and his new boss.
Mr Clarke was brought back by Mr Cameron earlier this month to bolster his economic team during the global financial crisis.
The well-known Europhile pledged he would not seek to change the party's sceptical position on the EU.
But last week remarks emerged from the same event at Nottingham University in which he warned that Mr Cameron risked looking like a "right-wing nationalist" because of his stance on Europe.
And, according to website www.publicservice.co.uk, he also criticised social issues.
Speaking about his time as Chancellor he told the conference, "I got rid of the married couples allowance.
"I really don't think it's anything to do with politicians whether you (get married) and most of the younger people I know don't seem very keen on it.
"My view of Conservatism is that it's not for us to tell you (what to do through) the tax system – my wife didn't put up with me because I was getting £150 by way of tax allowance.
"This is social engineering, for God's sake, and when I joined the party we weren't in favour of it." Ken Clarke 'Dismissed' David Cameron's Marriage Policy >>> | Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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