"We are at last experiencing a new empire: an empire where the happy south stamps over the cruel, dirty, toothless face of the northerner. At last Mrs Thatcher is saying I dont give a fig for what half of the population say because the richer half will keep me in power. This may be amoral, this may be immoral, but its politics and its pragmatism."
Michael Andrew Gove, Baron Gove is a British politician and journalist. A member of the House of Lords since 2025, he previously held senior Cabinet positions in Conservative governments between 2010 and 2024. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Surrey Heath from 2005 to 2024, during which he twice returned to the backbenches. He was a prominent figure in the 2016 referendum on the United Kin
"The Government is about to introduce a new test for those considering a university career. The central question will be punishingly direct. Do you want to run up a debt of £21,000 in order to go to the best British universities? Some people will, apparently, be put off applying to our elite institutions by the prospect of taking on a debt of this size. Which, as far as Im concerned, is all to the good."
Michael Gove"No-one can be blithe or blase about the real impact on food producers in this country of leaving without a deal."
Michael Gove"[I continue to believe Mrs May has the right formula for leaving the EU.] I think the prime minister is doing a great job. I think it is really important that we unite as a party."
Michael Gove"[On government ministers falling out with "special interest" groups] Very few health secretaries are going to be toasted by doctors, very few educational secretaries are going to get apples from teachers and very few secretary of states in this role are going to get Fortnum & Mason hampers sent to them by the Home Builders Federation."
Michael Gove"Im constitutionally incapable of it. Theres a special extra quality you need that is indefinable, and I know I dont have it. Theres an equanimity, an impermeability and a courage that you need. There are some things in life you know its better not to try."
Michael Gove"There are lots of other folk, including in the Cabinet who could easily be prime minister, I am not one of them. I could not be prime minister, I am not equipped to be prime minister, I don’t want to be prime minister."
Michael Gove