Politician · concept

Michael Gove on Brexit

Core Leave Supporter (strong)

TL;DR

Michael Gove strongly supported the UK leaving the European Union and played a key role in the 2016 referendum campaign.

Key Points

He admitted to displaying "moral cowardice" during the 2016 referendum campaign for not being upfront with the then-Prime Minister about his level of involvement with the Leave side.
Gove stated that a fundamental benefit of leaving the European Union was increasing Parliament's accountability by ending the constraint of European Union law in many areas.
He stood as a candidate for Conservative leadership after the 2016 referendum, having lost confidence in his former colleague Boris Johnson's readiness to be Prime Minister.

Summary

Michael Gove was a highly visible and core proponent of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, having campaigned for the Leave vote in the 2016 referendum. He admitted to exhibiting "moral cowardice" during the campaign, specifically regarding not being immediately upfront with the then-Prime Minister about his prominent role in the campaign, a situation that left the Prime Minister feeling betrayed. Gove stated that one of his fundamental motivations for supporting Brexit was to restore greater accountability to Parliament, arguing that the EU's legal authority had created excuses for politicians to deflect responsibility for policy failures.

Despite his support for the outcome, Gove later reflected on the manner in which the campaign was conducted and his own behaviour in the subsequent Conservative leadership contest. He expressed that he lost confidence in his colleague Boris Johnson’s suitability to become Prime Minister shortly after the referendum result, which led him to stand for the leadership himself, a decision he later suggested he should not have made. He also linked the benefits of Brexit to an 'unfrozen moment' allowing for a 'Green Brexit,' enabling the UK to set its own high environmental standards outside the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Michael Gove's overall position on Brexit?

Michael Gove was a prominent figure in the successful campaign to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum, indicating a strong, positive stance on Brexit itself. However, he has since admitted to "moral cowardice" regarding his conduct during the campaign's promotional phase.

Has Michael Gove changed his stance on Brexit since 2016?

Sources suggest Michael Gove still defends the decision to leave the EU, maintaining a positive view of the principle of Brexit. His acknowledged change relates to the process and his personal conduct during the campaign, rather than a shift away from the policy goal.

What did Michael Gove say about the benefits of Brexit?

Michael Gove stated that a key benefit of Brexit is that it has made Parliament more important by increasing accountability, as politicians no longer have the EU to blame for laws they disagree with. He also linked leaving the EU to a 'Green Brexit' opportunity to reform environmental policy.