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'Brexit means Brexit': Theresa May launches Tory leadership bid as Michael Gove abandons Boris Johnson – live 'Brexit means Brexit': May launches Tory leadership bid as Gove abandons Johnson – live
(35 minutes later)
11.32am BST
11:32
Theresa May's leadership launch - Summary
Here are the main points from Theresa May’s speech and Q&A. It was a solid, serious speech, with more detail than Stephen Crabb’s speech earlier, and concessions designed to appeal to Tory Brexiteers and Tory liberals (there are a few) respectively.
Here are the main points.
Britain still needs a Government that is capable of delivering a programme of serious social reform and realising a vision of a country that truly works for everyone.
The evidence of this need has been known to us for a long time. If you’re born poor, you will die on average nine years earlier than others. If you’re black, you’re treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you’re white. If you’re a white, working-class boy, you’re less likely than anybody else to go to university. If you’re at a state school, you’re less likely to reach the top professions than if you’re educated privately. If you’re a woman, you still earn less than a man. If you suffer from mental health problems, there’s too often not enough help to hand. If you’re young, you’ll find it harder than ever before to own your own home. These are all burning injustices, and - as I did with the misuse of stop and search and deaths in police custody and modern slavery - I am determined to fight against them.
She also said it was important to look after those once described by Ed Miliband as “the squeezed middle”.
But the mission to make this a country that works for everyone goes further than fighting these injustices. If you’re from an ordinary, working-class family, life is just much harder than many people in politics realise. You have a job, but you don’t always have job security. You have your own home, but you worry about mortgage rates going up. You can just about manage, but you worry about the cost of living and the quality of the local school, because there’s no other choice for you.
Some need to be told that what the Government does isn’t a game, it’s a serious business that has real consequences for people’s lives.
She also cracked a joke about his negotiating abilities.
While it is absolutely vital that the government continues with its intention to reduce public spending and cut the budget deficit, we should no longer seek to reach a budget surplus by the end of the Parliament. If before 2020 there is a choice between further spending cuts, more borrowing and tax rises, the priority must be to avoid tax increases since they would disrupt consumption, employment and investment.
The second point is while the ability to trade with EU member states is vital to our prosperity, there is clearly no mandate for a deal that involves accepting the free movement of people as it has worked hitherto. Now is not the time for me to set out my full negotiating principles - that will come later. But I want to be clear that as we conduct our negotiations, it must be a priority to allow British companies to trade with the single market in goods and services - but also to regain more control of the numbers of people who come here from Europe. Any attempt to wriggle out of that - especially from leadership candidates who campaigned to leave the EU by focusing on immigration - will be unacceptable to the public.
This seems to be a reference to Johnson’s Telegraph article on Monday, in which he played down the importance of controlling immigration. That article seems to have done huge damage to Johnson’s campaign.
I will therefore create a new government department responsible for conducting Britain’s negotiation with the EU and for supporting the rest of Whitehall in its European work. That department will be led by a senior Secretary of State - and I will make sure that the position is taken by a Member of Parliament who campaigned for Britain to leave the EU.
With Chris Grayling, a prominent leave campaigner, running her campaign, he may now be the obvious candidate for that job.
Brexit means Brexit. The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high, and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door, and no second referendum.
Lots of people on the Tory left couldn't support a candidate who would pull the UK out of the ECHR, so May is dropping that pledge now
I know some politicians seek high office because they’re driven by ideological fervour. And I know others seek it for reasons of ambition or glory. But my reasons are much simpler. I grew up the daughter of a local vicar and the granddaughter of a regimental sergeant major. Public service has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember.
I know I’m not a showy politician. I don’t tour the television studios. I don’t gossip about people over lunch. I don’t go drinking in Parliament’s bars. I don’t often wear my heart on my sleeve. I just get on with the job in front of me.
And you can judge me by my record. As Home Secretary, I was told I couldn’t take on the Police Federation, but I did. I was told I couldn’t cut police spending without crime going up, but crime is lower than ever. I was told I shouldn’t start asking questions about police corruption, but everywhere I’ve seen it - from Stephen Lawrence to Hillsborough - I’ve exposed it. I was told I couldn’t stop Gary McKinnon’s extradition, but I stood up to the American Government and I stopped it. I was told I couldn’t deport Abu Qatada, but I flew to Jordan and negotiated the treaty that got him out of Britain for good.
11.23am BST
11:23
Haroon Siddique
Tory MP Nigel Evans, who is backing Boris Johnson, was asked whether Theresa May had stabbed his favoured candidate in the back and Michael Gove had stabbed him in the front. He replied:
That’s about it. It makes House of Cards look like Teletubbies.
He later said himself that Gove had “stabbed Boris in the front”.
Although laughing, he said he was a “bit irritated” as the leave side, which he is part of, is in disarray, while things are relatively orderly on the remain side, with May the clear frontrunner (he thinks she will win the first round).
I think there’s almost an expectation that it should be Theresa and Boris. I think they’d be real surprise if it ended up with someone else.
Updated
at 11.26am BST
11.16am BST
11:16
Airport capacity decision deferred
Haroon Siddique
The decision on expanding airport capacity in south-east England has been deferred until a new Conservative leader is elected, the government has confirmed. David Cameron was expected to confirm whether projects at Heathrow or Gatwick would get the go-ahead in the coming weeks if the UK voted to remain in the EU.
But Cameron’s resignation following the Brexit vote means the decision will not be made until the autumn.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the House of Commons:
I had hoped that we would be able to announce a decision on airport capacity this summer.
Clearly any announcement on airport capacity would have to be made when the House is in session and being realistic, given recent events, I cannot now foresee an announcement until at least October.
Heathrow and Gatwick responded to the announcement by reiterating their respective claims for expansion.
11.13am BST
11:13
Here is Nicky Morgan’s statement on why she is backing Michael Gove. And here’s an extract.
It is equally important that we now secure the right deal for Britain – and the next leader must have the skill and credibility to put together the right team to renegotiate our exit from and future relationship with Europe and explain the final terms to the British people.
Having spent the past week talking to colleagues in parliament, party members and constituents I have concluded unequivocally that the right person to do that is Michael Gove and I am delighted to be endorsing his candidacy today.
11.12am BST
11:12
And Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, who was also mulling over his own leadership bid, has announced that he is backing Theresa May. He said:
I have decided that now is not the right time for me to run for the leadership - though I remain completely committed to ensuring we secure our position as a great trading nation with sensible controls on migration. I believe that Theresa May has the strength, judgement and values to deliver those things. She is the right choice to lead Britain in a challenging period and will make a truly outstanding prime minister.
11.10am BST
11:10
According to Sky News, Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, has said she will not stand for the leadership. She is backing Michael Gove, Sky says.
11.09am BST
11:09
Tory MP Nadine Dorries not part of the alleged “stampede” to Gove. She is typically outspoken about his candidature for the leadership, suggesting he cannot be trusted. She also says Conservative party members will be furious if Boris Johnson does not make the final two.
Conservative party members will be very very angry if Boris not on final 2. Treachery of Gove won't be forgiven easily
Gove didn't get the big job Mrs Vine wanted for him - Boris doesn't do bribes
Conservative party members have no forgiveness for opportunism and treachery - those days are gone
' I don't want to be PM' who can ever believe a word Gove says again
11.05am BST
11:05
Haroon Siddique
Channel 4’s Tim Bouverie quotes an MP saying there is a “stampede” from Johnson to Gove.
There is "a stampede away from Boris to Gove" - Tory MP.
Nick Boles who had declared for Boris is running Gove's campaign. Other defections: Raab, Hayes, Gibb
Michael Gove is the man the party and country can trust to deliver Brexit. He's a passionate believer in social justice and a true reformer.
11.01am BST
11:01
Dominic Raab, the justice minister, was backing Boris Johnson. But he’s just told Sky News that he is now backing Michael Gove.
As 5 News’s Andy Bell points out, Raab has an article in today’s Sun saying why Johnson should be the leader.
Just watched Dominic Raab backing Michael Gove while reading his Sun article backing Boris #ToryLeadership pic.twitter.com/46LAggVoWW
10.59am BST10.59am BST
10:5910:59
Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
Good morning, this is Haroon Siddique, I’ll be helping Andrew out with blog today as there is so much going on today.Good morning, this is Haroon Siddique, I’ll be helping Andrew out with blog today as there is so much going on today.
Bookies have installed Michael Gove as the second favourite behind Theresa May.Bookies have installed Michael Gove as the second favourite behind Theresa May.
William Hill quotes May as 8/13, Gove as 3/1 and Johnson at 11/1.William Hill quotes May as 8/13, Gove as 3/1 and Johnson at 11/1.
However, the former Conservative chair Sayeeda Warsi has made some very damning comments about Gove, suggesting that he is a political opportunist and not a unifier.However, the former Conservative chair Sayeeda Warsi has made some very damning comments about Gove, suggesting that he is a political opportunist and not a unifier.
She told BBC News:She told BBC News:
I am quite surprised [by his announcement]. I never really thought it [the referendum campaign] was about Michael’s political ambitions ...I am quite surprised [by his announcement]. I never really thought it [the referendum campaign] was about Michael’s political ambitions ...
I am also surprised at what he said. He talks about healing and speaking for all and bringing the country together. From my experience of Michael and his approach towards teachers, the legal profession, ethnic minorities, that is not the Michael Gove I see.I am also surprised at what he said. He talks about healing and speaking for all and bringing the country together. From my experience of Michael and his approach towards teachers, the legal profession, ethnic minorities, that is not the Michael Gove I see.
By contrast, Warsi described May’s speech as “brilliant”.By contrast, Warsi described May’s speech as “brilliant”.
10.56am BST
10:56
Here is Paul Goodman, editor of ConservativeHome, on why Michael Gove abandoned Boris Johnson.
Gove's decision 1) He came to believe that @BorisJohnson was prepared to backtrack on Brexit.
Gove's decision 2) It's claimed that Johnson refused to allow his Daily Telegraph column text to go through a campaign approval process.
Gove's decision 3) The Justice Secretary & supporters concluded that Johnson was unlikely to defeat May.
10.50am BST
10:50
Here’s a clip from Theresa May’s leadership launch.
I will post a full summary soon.
10.37am BST
10:37
These are from the Spectator’s James Forsyth.
Think if Gove can make it to the last two, then he has a chance. But next 24 hours absolutely key for him
Understand that it was concerns, and frustrations, about the Boris operation and Boris’s way of working that tipped Gove over the edge
10.29am BST
10:29
Here is Channel 4 New’s Gary Gibbon’s take on Michael Gove’s declaration he is standing. And here is an extract.
The PM’s circle were already calling him Brutus. Samantha Cameron has told friends she will never speak to the Goves again.
Now the Johnsons’ dinner parties are off limits.
Can he become PM?
Michael Gove has gone a lot further than others in the past in ruling himself out not on grounds of skill or ambition but on grounds of temperament. He said repeatedly that he didn’t have the calm serenity of mind and the thick skin required to do the job.
Some people very close to him, some in the party, probably George Osborne with whom he managed to stay in touch throughout the turmoil and bitterness of the campaign, have helped to change his mind. The adulation of Tories and the right wing press has played a role too
10.23am BST
10:23
The Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has announced he is switching his support to Michael Gove from Boris Johnson.
I am transferring my support to Michael Gove for the leadership of the @Conservatives and Prime @Number10gov. pic.twitter.com/C8yUvy9mhg
10.13am BST
10:13
Q: What would you do about the border with Ireland?
May says there is a common travel area in Ireland. The government is speaking to the Irish government about this.
And that’s it. I will post a summary soon.
10.12am BST
10:12
May says she is opposed to an early election
Q: Given the government is abandoning so many policies, aren’t voters entitled to another election?
May says the government was elected on a clear manifesto. It should deliver on that. And, given the uncertainties around at the moment, it would be wrong to introduce further uncertainty by having an election.
10.11am BST
10:11
May says she has abandoned plans to try to get Britain to withdraw from ECHR
Q: Can you guarantee that EU citizens living in the EU will be allowed to stay?
May says this will be part of the negotiation.
But it is not about whether people are welcome here, she says, implying they are.
Q: [From Newsnight’s Nick Watt] You say there must be no backdoor pitch to remain. Is your pitch that you are Theresa May, the remainer, who will deliver leave, unlike Boris Johnson, the leaver, who will deliver remain.
(Terrific question.)
May says her pitch is that she is the best person to be prime minister.
Q: [From my colleague Rowena Mason] Are you still committed to pulling out of the European convention on human rights?
May says she set our her views on this in a speech. But there is no parliamentary majority for leaving the ECHR, and so she will not be pursuing it.
10.06am BST
10:06
Q: Are you committed to getting net migration below 100,000?
May says it was in the manifesto in 2010 and 2015. The government will have to negotiate controls on free movement.
Q: What is your red line? Preserving access to the single market? Or curbs on free movement?
May says you should not declare you red lines in advance. You should go into a negotiation looking for the best deal you can get. That includes progress on both. And access to the single market for services is important.
10.05am BST
10:05
Q: Would leaving the EU bring down net migration below 100,000?
May says you cannot simply pull a lever and bring down immigration. You have to work at this through various policy means.
Q: Would it make a difference having a woman as prime minister?
May says she has always championed having more women in politics. But the key thing is how you do the job?
Q: Would you give Boris Johnson a job?
May says she thinks talent from all wings of the party should be in the government. But she is not going around offering jobs.
Q: What do you think of Michael Gove’s comments about Johnson, and the fact he is standing?
May says it is for Gove to explain what he meant. She welcomes the fact that there is a contest. It would not be good for the leadership to be decided by a deal done behind closed doors.