Michael Gove has delivered a scathing assessment of Nigel Farage’s chances in future elections, claiming the Reform leader is “not ready” to be prime minister and will still not be prepared in four years’ time.
What Happened
The senior Conservative politician and former cabinet minister praised Farage’s abilities as a communicator but firmly stated that he does not see the Reform leader as a plausible prime minister. Gove acknowledged that Farage has made significant strides in political communication but asserted, “If at this stage you’re saying that Reform should be the government — I know we’re four years away — he doesn’t have the team, or the policies or programme that would make me believe that he would govern effectively.”
Farage’s Reform Party has gained attention recently, especially after local elections in May saw the party win 676 seats and overall control of 10 councils. This victory came as the Conservative Party suffered losses, losing 15 councils and 674 seats. However, Gove questioned the substance behind Reform’s success, claiming it was less about a compelling vision for the country and more about channeling public anger towards the failure of the political establishment to meet its promises.
Gove’s Assessment of Farage
In a forthcoming interview with the Politics Inside Out podcast, Gove explained that Reform’s rise was due to the frustration felt by the electorate with established political parties. He emphasized that Reform’s appeal stemmed from the party’s ability to capture public dissatisfaction rather than presenting a cohesive plan for governing.
Despite his criticisms, Gove praised Farage’s communication skills, stating, “He has an intuitive feel for how parts of the country think at any given time.” Gove likened Farage’s approach to that of Boris Johnson, noting that Farage, like Johnson, is not constrained by conventional political thinking. He also mentioned that Farage’s willingness to speak openly about issues not typically discussed by mainstream politicians allows him to connect with certain segments of the population.
However, Gove also acknowledged that Farage plays a role in preventing greater political extremism. He referenced Farage’s stance in a recent public disagreement with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, where Farage distanced himself from endorsing Robinson, saying, “My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.”
Reform’s Political Momentum
Recent polls suggest that support for the Reform Party has peaked and that the momentum propelling the party’s rise may be slowing. Conservative peer Robert Hayward pointed out that recent council by-election results, where Reform lost seats it was defending, combined with stagnant national polling numbers, indicate that Farage’s path to Downing Street could be encountering a setback. According to Hayward, the Reform Party’s previous momentum may have “topped out,” signaling potential challenges ahead.
Conclusion
While Farage’s Reform Party has seen significant success in recent elections, Gove’s remarks suggest a continued skepticism about Farage’s suitability for the role of prime minister. The coming years will likely see further scrutiny of the party’s policies and Farage’s leadership as they continue to navigate the political landscape.
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