Ken Clarke: Tory party is too rightwing and personal attacks won't work

Former chancellor says failure to create rebalanced economy is 'single biggest issue affecting the country' and warns against unfunded promises

The former Conservative chancellor Kenneth Clarke warned that personal attacks on Ed Miliband will cost votes, as he lamented the lack of a balanced economy with rising living standards.

The veteran Tory's intervention at such a sensitive time before the election is likely to be seen as highly unhelpful by his own party, which is neck-and-neck in the polls with Labour.

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