Move over Darling, we want Clarke

I've just read with interest the latest poll from ICM/Guardian.

There is the headline stuff about the Tories being 5 points ahead of Labour which is just about perfect for a draw given the voting anomalies surrounding rural and urban constituencies that means the Tories need an even larger lead than Labour would to win a majority.

A draw, of course, means a hung parliament, and means real power for the 20+ SNP MPs.

But I think this somewhat expected result of a 5 point lead for Cameron hides a fascinating statistic. Only 35% of Tory voters back George Osbourne as Chancellor. This is quite remarkable.

I could easily look up how long he has been in his position as Shadow Chancellor but I'm lazy and it's safe to say it's been a very long time. And only 35% of his own party rate him? How long does someone need to make an impression!?

Particularly given the trouble Labour is in right now and the credit crunch rumbling on, it's time for David Cameron ditched his posh chum George and brought in either Kenneth Clarke or David Davies to really put the pressure on Alastair Darling. They need a genuine big hitter who can guarantee gathering attention and journalists around him like flies around a jobby. (I accept that's a rather unfortunate analogy but I still find it amusing after all these years.)

The result of the very election itself may well depend on such a simple tactical move.

After all, "Move over Darling, we want Clarke" is a rather catchy line for a billboard. It doesn't quite work with Osbourne since even his own party don't want him.