article: Ken Clarke has bemoaned the Tories' recent electoral performances, claiming the party has become 'too right-wing' to win an election outright . The Conservatives will not win this year's General Election because they have become 'too right-wing', former Chancellor Ken Clarke has said. The Tory MP bemoaned the Conservatives' recent electoral performances, complaining that they 'haven't been able to win an election for 23 years' as the party has 'become much too right-wing'. In a wide-ranging interview with the New Statesman magazine, Mr Clarke also warned against offering 'blank cheques' to the NHS and foreign aid budgets, and criticised the Tory leadership for making personal attacks on Ed Miliband. Mr Clarke, who has served under Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron, said: 'Most elections I fought the Conservative party had won. And now we haven't been able to win an election for 23 years. 'It's become much too right-wing. Which I hope David will continue to seek to redress in coming times.' Mr Clarke cautioned against signing up to 'blank cheques' to the NHS and foreign aid budgets. David Cameron has promised to protect the health, schools and foreign aid budgets again if he wins next month's election. But critics warn the move will place intense pressure on other departments like defence and policing, which will have to bear the brunt of planned cuts. Mr Clarke also took a swipe at Defence secretary Michael Fallon's claim last week that Mr Miliband would 'stab the country' in the back by ditching the Trident nuclear deterrent in the same way he had knifed his brother David during the Labour leadership campaign. 'Personally I disapprove of personal attacks on your opponents. I've never done that. I also think it costs you votes. If either side goes in for personal attacks on the other side.' Mr Clarke, who served four years in David Cameron's Cabinet, is known for his outspoken views, and is one of the few remaining Tory cheerleaders for the European Union. But his intervention remains an embarrassment for the Tory leadership in the run-up to the election. Jon Ashworth, Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister, said: 'This is an embarrassing blow for a Tory campaign in chaos. Even David Cameron's own ministers recognise the Tories have failed working people and are now making desperate promises with no idea where the money is coming from.' Mr Clarke served four years in David Cameron's Cabinet and is one of the few remaining Tory cheerleaders for the European Union .
highlights: Tory MP Ken Clarke claims the party has become 'much too right-wing'
  He bemoaned its recent electoral performances and criticised its strategy .
  The long-serving MP warned against offering 'blank cheques' to the NHS .
  He has served under Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron .
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