Michael Gove on Boris Johnson, Reform Party, and Political Life

Political Career and Boris Johnson

• 💡 Michael Gove discusses his role in Boris Johnson's premiership, stating he did not "stab Boris anywhere" and that Johnson's departure was due to a combination of his decisions and parliamentary party choices.
• 🎯 He reflects on the immediate aftermath of the Brexit referendum, admitting he is unsure if withdrawing support from Boris Johnson was the right course of action, but felt Johnson lacked the necessary day-to-day preparedness for leadership at that moment.
• 🔑 Gove clarifies that the plan for Brexit, as laid out on the Vote Leave website, involved not triggering Article 50 prematurely and negotiating before taking that step, particularly concerning Northern Ireland.
• 🚀 He acknowledges that the difficulties faced by the Conservatives post-2019, including the pandemic and economic issues, were not directly linked to Brexit but were choices made by the government.

Reform Party and Political Landscape

• 🎭 Gove describes the Reform Party conference as "gloriously camp," noting the theatrical elements but also a greater seriousness about the need to avoid disappointment in government.
• ⚠️ He identifies mistakes made at the conference, including inviting a speaker who made a "bizarre link" between vaccines and the royal family, and the decision to feature Lucy Connley, whose past statements were deemed "horrific and horrible."
• 📈 Gove suggests that while Reform has done work on migration, there are still inconsistencies, particularly regarding the timeline for deportations and the economic picture, questioning the feasibility of nationalizing steel and taking water companies into public ownership while cutting taxes.
• 🗣️ He observes that a significant portion of the British public feels that existing institutions need to work better, while nearly half believe the country needs to "burn it down," a sentiment Nigel Farage is benefiting from.

Personal Reflections and Education

• 🧠 Gove expresses that his motivation for entering politics stemmed from frustration with decisions being made and a desire to address issues facing the country, influenced by his adoptive parents and a sense of needing to prove himself.
• 📚 He highlights his reforms in education, driven by a desire to help children, particularly white working-class boys, who he believes are currently suffering the most.
• 🏫 Regarding grammar schools, Gove advocates for creating a grammar school ethos within socially inclusive comprehensive schools, citing examples of free schools performing well for disadvantaged children.
• 🎓 On independent schools, he aims for a situation where parents don't need to make significant financial sacrifices for a good education, drawing a parallel with Italy where state schools are highly regarded.

Media, Politics, and Future

• 🎤 Gove discusses his transition to journalism and podcasting, finding it a learning process and emphasizing the importance of understanding language for persuasion, a skill he believes Nigel Farage possesses.
• 🧐 He states he will not run as an MP again but remains in touch with David Cameron and occasionally with Boris Johnson.
• 🏛️ Gove believes the Conservative Party embodies a spirit of understanding inherited institutions while embracing innovation, and that while it has faced eclipses before, it has the capacity to adapt and regain power.
• 🎧 He promotes his new podcast, "Quite Right," with Meline Grant, aiming to provide a broader perspective on politics and culture.