Ken Clarke has poured cold water on the Tories' marriage tax break plans, joking that his wife didn't put up with him because of money.
The shadow business secretary, who abolished the married couples tax allowance when he was Chancellor, spoke out as the Conservatives prepared to finally outline the details of one of their key manifesto pledges.
Senior strategists hope that the proposed tax break can electrify their campaign as much as the attack on Labour's "jobs tax".
But Mr Clarke said that he had a "certain scepticism" about the idea and warned that the Conservatives' new policy cannot be very "expensive" because of tight government finances.
Speaking on the BBC's Campaign Show, he said: "I have been married for a very, very long time and my wife, I think, has not put up with me for the benefit of the old married couples tax allowance."
David Cameron and George Osborne's policy will "recognise" both marriage and civil partnerships.
Full-scale transferable tax allowances have been ruled out as too expensive, so a cheaper tax break for couples could follow.
