Ken Clarke, nicknamed the ‘big beast’, turns 70 today. For the past 50 years, he has been a political powerhouse and is regarded as one of the most senior and important Tory politicians. To mark his 70th birthday, Total Politics looks back at five decades of Clarke’s political life.

1960s — 1969: Whilst studying law at Cambridge University, Clarke met his wife Gill and became president of the Cambridge Union in 1963. It was here that he first became an active Conservative. He was said to be one of the 'Cambridge mafia' of the 1960s, a group of men who would later become key figures in the Conservative Party.

1970s-1979: In 1970, a 29-year-old Clarke became MP for Rushcliffe, a seat that he has held for the last 40 years. He quickly gained recognition within the party, culminating with the Iron Lady appointing him junior transport minister in 1979. In her memoirs, Thatcher referred to Clarke as a 'candid friend'.

1980-1989: He is viewed by many as an enemy to the public sector after initiating severe reforms to education and the NHS. In 1988 he was a controversial health minister driving through far-reaching forms of the NHS, including the internal market. He famously battled with ambulance staff and doctors who were opposed to his reforms. In a now humorous touch, when news of his transfer from health to education was announced, the British Medical Association sent a message to the National Union of Teachers: "Our loss is your disaster."

1990-1999: In 1997 he contested William Hague for leadership of the Conservatives. At this time he was famously caught stuck in a racing car, a moment he declines to believe occurred due to his size. Indeed, The Guardian describe him as a "slightly overweight pensioner with a fondness for birdwatching, cricket and jazz". He was also Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1993-1997 and will be remembered for lowering interest rates, inflation and unemployment.

2000-2009: Never one to shirk his opinions he was keen to lambast Blair over the Iraq war: “The reasons given to Parliament for joining the invasion were bogus.” He was also keen to criticise Labour’s handling of the recession. In 2008 he commented: "It's a pity I'm not chancellor at a time like this, because I like a crisis." In 2005 he tried for the third time to be leader, only to be defeated by David Cameron. On his three failures Clarke stated: “At least I can say that I was a reasonable contender.”

2010: Despite being embroiled in the expenses scandal for ‘flipping' his home, he is the current justice secretary and Lord Chancellor. This week he made his maiden speech in his new role, calling for radical reforms to the penal system.

Clarke’s 50 years in politics are aptly summed up by Ruth Lea of the Centre for Policy studies: "Ken Clarke has a built-in feelgood factor... He does inspire confidence. If you push hard, he won't fall over."

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