Michael Gove pronounces he’s quitting as an MP as Tories desert Rishi Sunak
Housing Secretary Michael Gove has announced he will not stand at the General Election.
The senior Conservative has joined the exodus of MPs who will not run for re-election.
Mr Gove, 56, has been the MP for Surrey Heath since 2005. He has served in Cabinet jobs including Justice Secretary, Education Secretary, Chief Whip and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
At a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday as the PM told ministers he was calling an election in July, Mr Gove told him: “Who dares wins. You dared and you will win.” But now he has decided to quit.
In a post on X, he said: “After nearly twenty years serving the wonderful people of Surrey Heath and over a decade in Cabinet across five government departments, I have today taken the decision to step down as a Member of Parliament.”
And in a letter to the chairman of the Surrey Heath Conservatives attached to the post, he said: “Thank you for your kindness earlier. As we discussed, I have decided today not to seek to represent Surrey Heath at the forthcoming General Election.
“Having the chance to serve as a Member of Parliament and Minister has been a profound privilege. As a child in Aberdeen I could never have imagined I would have the opportunity to sit in the Commons, let alone around the Cabinet table.
“My parents, who adopted me when I was four months old, brought me up to believe that the chance to help others is the greatest gift you can be given.
“That four Prime Ministers asked me to serve the country in their Governments has been the honour of my life.
“I am grateful to them all: David Cameron who gave me the chance to pursue the education reforms in which I passionately believe, Theresa May who asked me to support her in challenging times, Boris Johnson who delivered Brexit and set out the levelling up vision which is so important for our country, and Rishi Sunak who asked me to return to Government when I believed my ministerial career had ended, enabling me to deepen and intensify the levelling up programme.
“His support has ensured we can deliver projects which are benefitting towns and communities in all parts of the country. Having seen up close the demands of the role I know we all owe them so much.”
A record number of Tory MPs are quitting at the General Election, overtaking the exodus before Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide. Around Conservatives have so far announced they won’t seek re-election, including Tory big beasts Theresa May, Sajid Javid, Ben Wallace and Matt Hancock. Rishi Sunak’s sudden announcement of a July 4 election has prompted more MPs to throw in the towel – with likely more to come.
The number of Tories leaving has surpassed the previous record of 72 who quit ahead of Labour’s victory in 1997. Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a summer election surprised many in Westminster, who had been expecting an autumn poll.
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