"Mr Clarke takes a lesser role as minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office, where he will act as a government "wise head" offering advice to Mr Cameron on issues including economic strategy.
He has been replaced (as Justice Minister) by employment minister Chris Grayling, who was shadow home secretary before the 2010 election and is regarded as being to the right of Mr Clarke on justice issues.
Mr Clarke denied the move was a humiliation and he was "pleasantly surprised" to remain in cabinet.
He added: "At my age you do occasionally have to step down from a heavy departmental role before you
suddenly realise you can no longer quite handle it."
I have to state that I warm to Ken Clarke; I like the fact that he is grateful for what he has, as opposed to angry about what he hasn’t. His honesty is refreshing and some of those now occupying the loftier cabinet roles could learn from it. It may be spin of course, politicians are masters at this, but in Ken Clarke’s case I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and even respect him for it.
Now that’s a revelation and worth a blog post.