The Brexit campaign continues to reveal its inner workings and the personal struggles of key figures involved, as Michael Gove, the levelling up secretary, has admitted to “moral cowardice” during the campaign.
In a candid interview for the Political Currency podcast with George Osborne and Ed Balls, Gove confessed that he was initially hesitant to take on a prominent role in the leave campaign, but was persuaded by Dominic Cummings, the Vote Leave campaign coordinator. This admission comes as a surprise, as Gove had previously downplayed his involvement in the campaign.
Osborne, who campaigned for Remain, revealed that Gove had assured David Cameron that he would not play a significant role in the campaign, only to later become heavily involved in TV shows and debates. This revelation left Cameron feeling betrayed and deceived by Gove’s actions.
Gove acknowledged his shortcomings, admitting that he should have been clearer with Cameron about his intentions from the start. He described his actions as a mix of cowardice and a reluctance to make difficult decisions in the moment.
The aftermath of the referendum also had a profound impact on both Gove and Osborne. Gove admitted to going to bed early on the night of the referendum, only to wake up to the news of the outcome the next morning. Osborne, on the other hand, stayed up all night and described the vote to leave the EU as the most traumatic day of his political life.
In a surprising turn of events, Gove also revealed that he had lost confidence in Boris Johnson’s ability to lead and decided to stand for leader of the Conservatives and prime minister himself. This decision came after a barbecue at Johnson’s house, where Gove felt that Johnson was not adequately prepared for the fallout of the referendum result.
As the Brexit saga continues to unfold, Gove’s admission of moral cowardice sheds light on the personal struggles and difficult decisions faced by key players in the campaign. The podcast, The Brexit Plots, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the events leading up to the historic referendum and its aftermath.