Cabinet minister Michael Gove has become the latest high-profile Conservative MP to stand down at the July 4 General Election.
The veteran minister said it was a “profound privilege” to be an MP and a minister, but it’s “time to leave” and that “a new generation should lead.”
Mr. Gove’s announcement was followed soon by his Tory colleague, arch-Brexiteer and former Commons leader Dame Andrea Leadsom, who said that she was standing down after “careful reflection.”
So far, around 120 MPs have announced their intention to stand down, including almost 80 Conservatives.
Mr. Gove, currently the secretary of state for levelling up, housing, and communities, was first elected to Parliament in 2005 and has served as the MP for Surrey Heath since then.
He has held various ministerial roles under four prime ministers, including David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and the current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Announcing his decision on X, formerly Twitter, Mr. Gove said he’s “grateful to them all.”
The minister said working in public office has taken a toll, although those in politics have all volunteered for the 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 wrote.
Mr. Gove said he has “undoubtedly made mistakes” as a politician, but has “always tried to be a voice for those who have been overlooked and undervalued” and “to fight for greater social justice.”
In a show of support for Mr. Sunak as campaigning for the election gets underway, Mr. Gove praised the prime minister, saying he “exemplifies the patriotism, hard work, sense of selfless service, and clarity of purpose” and has “the plan our country needs at a time of global insecurity and growing challenge.”
The prime minister’s decision to call a summer election in a rain-soaked statement outside Number 10 surprised many in Westminster, where an autumn poll was widely expected.
The news has caused disquiet among some Tory MPs fearful of losing their jobs, and some ministers are said to have voiced concerns privately about the decision.
A political survivalist whose career has been marked by numerous comebacks to the front line, Mr. Gove first entered Lord Cameron’s Cabinet as education secretary before siding against him on the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 referendum.
He then backed Mr. Johnson to become the new Conservative leader before launching his own unsuccessful bid for the top job.
When Mrs. May took office, he spent a spell in the political wilderness before returning as environment secretary after she lost the Conservative majority in 2017. He then joined Mr. Johnson’s top team following the 2019 election.
Mr. Gove was sacked by Mr. Johnson after telling the then-prime minister that his time in Downing Street was up as the government fell apart in 2022.
But he returned to Cabinet after throwing his weight behind Mr. Sunak’s leadership campaign.
Mr. Gove is among the most high-profile members of the Conservative Party to call time on their parliamentary careers.
Mrs. May, former ministers Sir David Evennett, Greg Clark, Sir John Redwood, and former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi are also among those to confirm they are not running.
By Saturday evening, 78 Conservative MPs had said they would not seek re-election on July 4, surpassing the previous record of 72 who quit prior to Sir Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide win for Labour.
