He’s Awake! The Saturday Interview: Ken Clarke

‘There may only be one real star in the choreography of budget day – the chancellor, with his red box, his photocalls, his theatrical giving with one hand, taking with the other – but the members of the chorus also have parts to play: they must line the benches behind him, looking fascinated, engaged, and if not 100% approving, at least noncommittal. They are not meant to fall asleep, heads gently drifting down towards their ample chests. Not the most ringing endorsement of his colleague, was it? The lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice laughs, flushes and takes it head-on. “It wasn’t anything to do with George’s speech…‘