Clarke seeks unity

Clarke Attacks Leadership Rivals

Speaking to the West Oxford Conservative Association in Witney, Mr Clarke said, "When the public hear two candidates engaging in an argument about which takes the hardest and purest Euro-sceptic line, they must begin to think that some Conservatives have learnt nothing from the General Election defeat."

It is the former Chancellor's most direct attack on other candidates since the leadership contest began.

Mr Clarke said that the contest must not be about setting straightaway in concrete the policy positions of the Conservative Party for the next five years.

"The leadership contest should not be a divisive quarrel about policy, but a unifying process about how we organise ourselves to win the next General Election.

"The person elected next week simply will not have a detailed mandate to impose a series of immediate changes to Conservative Party policy on specific issues. My two rivals are attempting to claim this, for example, on the single currency."

Mr Clarke contrasted his approach with Mr Hague and Mr Redwood, claiming to be the man who will unify the party, "If I am elected next week, I will make inclusivity and the search for unity the central hallmark of my leadership of the party ... My shadow team will be a wide one, representing all strands of Conservative thinking."

The former Chancellor will also pledge himself to achieve three things as part of a root and branch modernisation of the party in the country, a dramatic increase in membership, an overhaul of communications and campaigning, and much closer participation of members in policy-making and the election of the leader.

If Mr Clarke sought to appeal to MPs right across the party, Mr Redwood's tactic was an attempt to make a pitch for what he believes to be a Euro-sceptic majority in the party.

He dismissed Mr Hague as a candidate who "did not say he would not abolish the pound". The choice was a straight one: "If you think that a single currency could be a good idea then you should vote for Ken, if you don't want one then vote for me." Mr Redwood added, "I am now saying that, if you can say never to the Social Chapter, you can say never to the single currency."

In contrast, Mr Clarke appealed for flexibility over economic and monetary union.

He said in an open letter to Conservative MPs, "If a single currency, is created, it will have an immense impact on the UK - we cannot wish it away or insulate ourselves from it. That is why we must be able to promote Britain's interests in the light of rapidly changing circumstances."

With voting taking place in the second ballot on Tuesday, Tory MPs will have two chances to see all three candidates in action in the 48 hours ahead of polling.

All three candidates will appear in separate interviews on BBC's Breakfast with Frost on Sunday, then they will make a statement and answer questions before MPs in the Commons on Monday evening.