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Stephen Dorrell: Off the pace from the start

Stephen Dorrell

Dorrell was one of the ousiders from the start. He opened at 14/1 but soon drifted out to as high as 50/1 which was a fair reflection of his chance.

It always looked as though he would end up joining the Clarke team, although most predictions were that this would not happen until after the first ballot. The pace semed a bit quick for him right from 'the off' and he never seemed likely to gain the support of more than eight or nine backers.

He annoyed many on the left of the party by lurching to the right during the election campaign - it was seen as being motivated by personal ambition and did his chances no good.

Ken Clarke will be delighted to have his support, and should Clarke win, Dorrell may find himself rewarded with a top job, possibly Shadow Chancellor.

A long-odds outsider, withdrawn without coming under orders.

One to watch for the future perhaps?

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