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Michael Gove in, Boris Johnson out of Conservative leadership race in shock moves following Brexit result

BORIS Johnson was the hot favourite to be Britain’s next PM. Now he’s sensationally quit the race amid claims of a “conspiracy”.

Victoria Craw
3 min read
July 1, 2016 - 2:41PM

OK take a deep breath everyone. UK politics has become even more outrageous with a shock Tory candidate reshuffle, a leaked email conspiracy and a hilarious social media backlash.

The official Australian term is “batsh*t crazy”.

It all began with an email sent by Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine to her husband Michael Gove, one of the chief architects of the Vote Leave campaign along with former London Mayor Boris Johnson.

In it, Vine instructs her husband in no uncertain terms to receive “SPECIFIC assurances from Boris otherwise you cannot guarantee your support.”

“The details can be worked out later on, but without that you have no leverage,” said the missive sent to Gove, two of his aides and a member of the public.

She claims party membership and UK media will not be keen to support Boris Johnson without assurances from Gove and he should “not concede any ground. Be your stubborn best,” she writes.

“GOOD LUCK.”

The bungle came just hours before Gove wrong-footed Johnson by announcing he would run for Tory leadership following the shock resignation of David Cameron. The timing and bizarre nature of it prompted claims the “leak” was no accident and saw Vine dubbed “Clare Blunderwood” after House of Cards’ ambitious First Lady.

Gove officially submitted his intention to run saying: “If we are to make the most of the opportunities ahead we need a bold break with the past.”

“I wanted to help build a team behind Boris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future,” he said.

“But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead. I have, therefore, decided to put my name forward for the leadership.”

Justice Secretary Michael Gove surprised political pundits with his intention to run for leader of the Conservative party showing a split with fellow Brexiteer Boris Johnson. Picture: AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL.
Justice Secretary Michael Gove surprised political pundits with his intention to run for leader of the Conservative party showing a split with fellow Brexiteer Boris Johnson. Picture: AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL.

It’s a slap in the face for Johnson with whom he worked closely to deliver a stunning result for the Leave campaign that saw the UK vote for Brexit 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

The former London mayor, was widely tipped as a favourite to succeed Mr Cameron but provided the second shock of Thursday morning when he followed Gove’s announcement by saying he would not join the race.

“I must tell you ... having consulted colleagues in view of the circumstances in parliament I have concluded that person cannot be me,” he said in a speech that many expected would see him announce his run.

“My role will be to give every possible support to the next Conservative administration.”

“It is vital that we bring everyone together within the party ... This is our chance to restore Britain’s standing as an independent, sovereign and self-governing nation,” he said.

Boris Johnson’s central position in the campaign would have made it difficult for him to unite the country as a leader. Picture: AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL.
Boris Johnson’s central position in the campaign would have made it difficult for him to unite the country as a leader. Picture: AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL.

The 52-year-old had been thought a shoe-in to contend due to his charisma and position as a figurehead during the referendum campaign.

But that very centrality made him a target by those opposed to the decision and it’s not clear he would have been able to provide the unity needed.

Johnson’s decision and conduct throughout the nightmare week prompted a huge backlash against the once popular mayor, with many in London incensed over his decision to back the Leave camp then duck out when the going got tough.

Many took to social media to #CurseBorisJohnson, while graffiti was found outside his house. Others expressed their shock at the state of politics in the country that currently sits somewhere in the vicinity of House of Cards meets Game of Thrones.

Boris Johnson sparked criticism for creating a mess and then walking away. Picture: AFP PHOTO / CHRIS J RATCLIFFE
Boris Johnson sparked criticism for creating a mess and then walking away. Picture: AFP PHOTO / CHRIS J RATCLIFFE

MAY AS MERKEL 2.0?

Despite the Gove/Johnson drama, the most popular contender for the leadership is Home Secretary Theresa May who has officially declared her intentions to bring a “one nation Conservatism” to the UK.

“Following last week’s referendum, our country needs strong leadership to steer us through this period of economic and political uncertainty,” she said in a column in The Times.

“We need a bold, new positive vision for the future of our country,” she wrote.

May kept a relatively low profile throughout the referendum campaign and is seen as a “grown up” by other MPs within the party with the mettle to handle a period of tough negotiation.

She has also been sited as “Britain’s answer to Angela Merkel” with the strength and composure to embark on a tough round of negotiations.

Fellow MPs Stephen Crabb, Liam Fox and Andrea Leadsom will also stand in the first ballot that will be held on Tuesday.

Home Secretary Theresa May. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.
Home Secretary Theresa May. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.
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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/boris-johnson-withdraws-from-conservative-leadership-race/news-story/af956c8038762e4c6ccb2b77d304f429