IN typically forthright fashion, Kenneth Clarke has staked his claim on the leadership of the Conservative Party.

He remains head and shoulders above the other four candidates in terms of experience, personality and popularity.

If the party leader was chosen by a poll of the British electorate, he would win by a landslide.

Unfortunately for Mr Clarke, the choice will be made, firstly by his fellow MPs, who will draw up a shortlist of two candidates, and finally by the 300,000 or so party members across the country.

His appeal to the country at large is far greater than his appeal to his parliamentary colleagues and party activists.

That is simply because the country at large does not share the Conservative Party's obsession with Europe.

It is an obsession which cost the Conservatives dear at the General Election. And it will cost them dear again if it means they fail to elect the one person capable of leading them out of the electoral wilderness.

Like his four rivals, Mr Clarke is not prepared to compromise his views on Europe and the single currency.

But, unlike them, he at least promises to give individuals within his Shadow Cabinet the freedom to express opposition to the euro.

The "free-vote" option is the only way forward for the party unless it wants to risk further divisions over the coming years.

The Conservative Party should grab this chance of reconciliation with both hands and support Mr Clarke in his endeavours.

For all his pro-European tendencies, Mr Clarke does not let Europe dominate his politics.

For him, public services and the economy are the big issues. Crucially, they are also the big issues for the British public.

Rejection of Mr Clarke will re-affirm the conclusion reached by the electorate on June 7, that the Conservative Party is more concerned in preaching to its converted than attracting new converts to its cause.

Without Mr Clarke at the helm, we wonder whether the Conservatives will ever be able to create a credible alternative to Labour