Ken Clarke

I opened this OP with trepidation, thinking oh, no.

Presumably after this coming referendum, or the next election Annie?
Do politicians ever truly retire? Let's hope not in his case anyway

I don't know Jalima, it was said on the Andrew Marr show this morning , they didn't say - the next election, which is the usual statement but after the election, I missed which newspaper they were quoting from. Sorry if I brought on a 'oh no' for you , I have always had respect for him and although he is now on the back benches I will miss him. Hope he will still pop up on QT .

I hadn't heard that but I am not surprised. He is of that age now. I too will miss him although he is not of the party I support. He is one of the old school for me who actually know how to conduct a proper political discussion. I am not in favour of an unelected upper house but he would be an asset to it in any form.

He is also not of my persuasion but I also respect him and a politically minded friend used to live in his constituency and got to know him quite well. She was full of admiration for him. I think his wife died recently, he maybe misses her and the family life she gave him.

Ahh Ken Clarke. One of the good uns

I am of his party and always admired him tremendously. As has been said he conducts a political argument in a now sadly old fashioned, civilised fashion. Many years ago, I was very hopeful that he would lead the Conservative party, but sadly that was not to be. I think the death of his wife has been difficult for him, she was such a rock for so many years.

Like you Jalima my first thought was "oh no, not another of the good guys".
One of those politicians who I think fitted what Thatbags said about a good person, even if one does not necessarily share his politics. Friends in Nottingham also said an excellent and universally respected MP.

I admire him too. He seems genuine, with a down to earth character. And he loves jazz! He must be ok

It was Nicholas Soames, reading (bizarrely enough) from the Chinese People's Daily on his i-Pad, who revealed that Ken Clarke would retire after the next election.

It was Nicholas Soames, reading (bizarrely enough) from the Chinese People's Daily on his i-Pad, who revealed that Ken Clarke would retire after the next election.

I have a lot of time for Ken Clarke, an old boy from Nottingham High School.

He wore Hush Puppies too! I can remember my stepfather thinking that they were quite awful!! In could never quite gather why, effeminate maybe? I just used to laugh at such a silly prejudice!!!! Can't go along with the jazz though, not for me, but each to their own!!