Michael Gove to step down as MP at basic election | EUROtoday

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Michael Gove has introduced he isn’t standing for re-election as an MP forward of the final election on July 4.

The secretary of state for Levelling Up is without doubt one of the longest-serving Conservative ministers and the final remaining high-profile MP from the David Cameron authorities elected in 2010.

The shock announcement comes as a blow to the Tory Party already scrambling to search out candidates for nearly a 3rd of constituencies after Rishi Sunak introduced the election on Wednesday.

Mr Gove made the revelation simply hours after the prime minister visited the Titanic Quarter in Belfast – the place he was requested by reporters if he was “captaining a sinking ship going into the election”.

The secretary of state for Levelling Up, posted on X: “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.”

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Mr Gove mentioned it was time for a “new generation” to steer and highlighted his time in varied authorities roles, together with as schooling secretary, Cabinet workplace minister and housing secretary.

In his letter addressed to Surrey Heath conservative chair Stuart Black, he says: “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.”

He conceded: “I also know the toll office can take, as do those closest to me. No one in politics is a conscript. We are volunteers who willingly choose our fate. And the chance to serve is wonderful.

“But there comes a moment when you know that it is time to leave. That a new generation should lead.”

He listed his achievements over his close to twenty years in Parliament, comparable to spearheading the Vote Leave marketing campaign, introducing the Homes for Ukraine scheme, selling rehabilitation as justice secretary and strengthening the Union with Scotland.

He concluded: “Throughout my time in politics, although I have undoubtedly made mistakes, I have always tried to be a voice for those who have been overlooked and undervalued. I have tried to fight for greater social justice.

“My education reforms were designed to build a country where everyone – no matter their background – can become the authors of their own life stories. For me that is what being in Parliament and being in Government is all about.”

It is known that when Mr Sunak made his rain-sodden announcement on the steps of Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon, candidates for 191 of the 650 seats nonetheless wanted to be chosen.

Since then extra vacancies have occurred with a variety of Tory MPs asserting they’ll retire with the full now standing at 77 breaking the 1997 document of 75.

Michael Gove had appeared on the head of a Lib Dem hit checklist of prime Tory targets they consider they’ll unseat within the basic election.