Long-serving Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove has announced he will not stand in the upcoming general election, contributing to a significant exodus of MPs as the second full day of campaigning unfolds.
Gove, who has served as the MP for Surrey Heath since 2005, made his decision in the past few days. He is the most high-profile among nearly 80 Conservative MPs stepping down ahead of the July 4 vote, joining public health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom. Gove, a close ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, endorsed Sunak’s leadership, stating he "has the plan our country needs."
As Parliament was prorogued and several government bills were rushed through before the cut-off:
- Reforms to homeowners' rights in England and Wales were passed, but without the Conservative manifesto commitment to drastically reduce ground rents for leaseholders.
- The promise to abolish no-fault evictions for renters failed to pass, but a bill establishing an independent Infected Blood Compensation Authority succeeded.
- Sunak expressed disappointment that his plan to phase out smoking did not become law but vowed to revisit it if re-elected.
Labour leader Keir Starmer admitted he could not commit to scrapping university tuition fees or repealing the two-child benefit cap, citing a lack of resources.
Gove, who had a majority of 18,349 in the last election, represents a key Liberal Democrat target in Surrey Heath on July 4. The Lib Dems accused Gove of “running scared” of their candidate Alasdair Pinkerton. Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney remarked, "The drumbeat of Conservative MPs stepping down has been getting louder - now it’s deafening."
Gove's ministerial career began as education secretary under David Cameron in 2010. He was a prominent leader of the Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum and has been a key member of Sunak’s team as housing minister. Sunak has yet to comment on Gove's resignation but insisted he is "pumped up" on a tour of all four UK nations on his first campaign day.
On Friday, energy regulator Ofgem confirmed consumer bills will drop by seven percent in July. Sunak said the fall indicated "the economy has turned a corner" and "our plan is working." Meanwhile, in Scotland, Starmer highlighted that despite the falling price cap, families would still pay around £400 more annually than a few years ago, promoting his party’s plan to create a "Great British Energy" firm to lower bills and drive a "clean energy revolution."
In the Highlands, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes pledged that SNP MPs would advocate for rural Scotland in Westminster, addressing Brexit's impact on exports.
In his letter to his local Conservative Association chairman, Gove thanked members for their support across five general elections. He reflected on his upbringing in Aberdeen, crediting his parents with instilling in him the belief that "to help others is the greatest gift you can be given." Gove expressed gratitude to the four prime ministers under whom he served and acknowledged the personal toll of his political career, hinting at his 2022 divorce.
Gove said, "The chance to serve is wonderful, but there comes a time when you know that it is time to leave. That a new generation should lead." Proud of his role in the Vote Leave campaign, he asserted that the UK is stronger with control over its laws, borders, and finances, citing increased NHS funding post-Brexit. Acknowledging his mistakes, Gove stated he had "always tried to be a voice for those who have been overlooked and undervalued," aiming for greater social justice through his education reforms.
On the campaign trail, Starmer committed to participating in two TV election debates with Sunak, following Sunak's challenge for weekly debates throughout the six-week campaign.
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