Michael Gove ruled out the possibility of running again against Boris Johnson as a potential new leader of the Conservative Party, as he admitted that he made a “mistake” in 2016.
The secretary for raising the level said he believed the prime minister was “doing a good job” after more than 40% of Tory MPs called on him to leave.
Anger at Johnson has spread throughout the party in recent months, with backstage and ministers frustrated by a series of scandals haunting the government, culminating in the Partygate saga. However, many are also frustrated by political reasons and believe that Johnson is not using his 80-majority majority in the House of Commons to pursue conservative policies and lower taxes.
Cabinet ministers united around Johnson. Asked if he trusted the prime minister, Gove told Sky News: “Enthusiastic, yes.”
Six years after betraying Johnson, giving up plans to run his leadership campaign and instead starting his own in the 2016 race, which followed when David Cameron withdrew after the Brexit referendum, Gove admitted on Thursday. that he made a “mistake”.
He told Sky News: “If you’ve been in politics for a while, like I was, then there are always mistakes you can look back on. But I think the prime minister is doing a good job.
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Asked if he would fight Johnson as a potential new leader, Gove said emphatically, “Oh my God, no.”
Gove said people need to move on after Monday’s awkward outcome for Johnson – when more Tory MPs called for him to leave than Theresa May in 2018.
He added: “I can understand why some of my fellow Members are concerned and I think it is important to demonstrate over the next two years that the government is focused on providing services to the people of the United Kingdom.
Gove had previously told rebellious colleagues to “focus on people’s priorities” and called on them to “do what we have chosen to provide – equalize, reduce crime, deliver the benefits of Brexit and improve public services”.
Johnson was optimistic about his political future earlier this week, insisting his presidency had “just begun” and saying he had “gathered political opponents everywhere” because the government was achieving “some very big and very remarkable things”.
He said during the Prime Minister’s questions: “Absolutely nothing and no one will stop us from continuing to deliver to the British people.”
Boris Johnson says “nothing and no one” will stop him from continuing as prime minister – video
Gove ran for the Conservative leadership against Johnson again in 2019 and reached the penultimate round – defeated in the runoff by Jeremy Hunt. He faced competition from Sajid Javid, Rory Stewart, Dominic Raab, Matt Hancock, Andrea Leedsom, Mark Harper and Esther McVeigh.
When Johnson won the keys to number 10, Gove was appointed cabinet minister before becoming a senior secretary in September 2021.
Gove and his 20-year-old wife, columnist Sarah Vine, announced last summer that they were divorcing after moving away.
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