Clarke: Again tops grassroots poll

Clarke Emerges As Grassroots Choice

The Tory leadership challenger Kenneth Clarke has beaten rival William Hague in the latest poll of Tory grassroots.

Mr Clarke emerged as the clear victor in opinion-testing ballot, beating William Hague by 389 to 260 votes.

The result was announced as voting opened in the third ballot of the Conservative leadership contest.

Mr Clarke welcomed the poll findings, saying Tory party members had given him their "overwhelming and consistent support" during his campaign.

"They more than anybody understand the need for party unity. They have demonstrated that again today," he said.

Mr Hague was dismissive about the results. "They are pretty similar to those earlier in the week but largely taken before the events of yesterday," he said.

In a poll of Tory constituency chairmen, the executive of the party's national union, peers and MEPS, the former Chancellor won a far bigger majority than in voting earlier this week.

Voting among constituency chairmen in England and Wales alone gave Mr Clarke 235 votes to Mr Hague's 194, compared with 242 and 223 for each man respectively in the second round.

Opinion among the executive committee of the party's national union gave Mr Clarke an even more convincing lead. He won 111 to Mr Hague's 54, compared with 88-70 in the previous round.

The ballot of Scotland's 78 area and constituency chairmen showed a still bigger lead - 43-12, compared with 44-15 last time.

All 17 Euro-MPs once again back the pro-European former Chancellor, and he is well ahead among Tory peers with 145 votes compared with Mr Hague's 32.