Dorrell and Clarke: of one mind

Dorrell praises "a big hitter"

Clarke "extremely glad" to have Dorrell aboard

Dorrell Pulls Out of Leadership Race

Mr Dorrell was estimated to have won the support of only eight or nine of his fellow Tory MPs and risked humiliation in the vote. The impact of his endorsement will therefore be limited, particularly as his supporters are by no means guaranteed to follow him into the Clarke camp. BBC2's Newsnight programme reported that out of four known Dorrell backers, two have said they will not vote for Mr Clarke because of his views on Europe.

Speaking at a news conference to announce their alliance, Mr Dorrell described the former Chancellor as "the outstanding figure at the centre of contemporary British politics".

He said that on May 2, he would have been "rather dubious" about Mr Clarke's popularity among the party, but that had now changed with the rank-and-file recognising that Mr Clarke was "simply the biggest figure on the stage".

The former Health Secretary said the Tories had to unite to win the next election. He said he had become increasingly impressed by the fact that he and Mr Clarke had "been arguing the same case".

The new partners

Mr Clarke had "one of the most original minds in politics", was committed to a competitive, free enterprise economy and to a programme of European reform, favoured liberalising Europe's economic structures and the expansion of the EU, and was also committed to the development of Conservative social policy, Mr Dorrell declared.

Mr Clarke was no less fulsome in his praise of his new recruit, describing him as having "a formidable reputation both as an effective minister and campaigner, and as an original policy thinker". He did not promise Mr Dorrell a particular job in opposition if he won the leadership contest, but said there would be "a leading role" for him.

A symbol of unity

Mr Clarke, now the bookmakers' favourite for the leadership, said that Mr Dorrell's decision to step aside demonstrated the sort of commitment to unity - placing the party above personal ambition - which would be needed to win the next election.

Nominations for the leadership close on June 5 with the first round of voting on June 10. Mr Clarke is thought likely to emerge with most votes, but not enough to win outright.

Lord Parkinson assesses Dorrell's campaign

Sir Norman Fowler says Dorrell will get a top job

And Then There Were Five...