I am driven by conviction, not ambition: Gove

London, July 1 

Britain’s race to choose a new premier to take the Brexit negotiations forward with the EU brought in a fresh drama today with Justice Secretary Michael Gove pitched to be the Prime Minister, a day after he destroyed the chances of another frontrunner in what some colleagues called an act of treachery.

He said his bid to become the PM is driven by “conviction” about what is right for the UK, not personal ambition.  Gove, who had surprised political circles with his decision to stand for the Conservative party leadership instead of backing fellow Brexit champion Boris Johnson, laid out his case to be the premier despite not being glamorous enough.

“I never thought I’d ever be in this position. I did not want it, indeed I did almost everything not be a candidate for the leadership of this party. I was reluctant because I know my limitations. Whatever charisma is I don’t have it; whatever glamour may be I don’t think anyone could ever associate me with it,” he said. 

Asked if it was political calculation that led him to back-track on supporting the former London mayor Johnson’s candidacy, referred to in the British media as a “backstabbing” of his close political ally, Gove said: “I am standing not as a result of calculation but because I have burning desire to transform this country. “I came to realise this week that, for all Boris’ formidable talents, he was not the right person for the task.” 

The 48-year-old author and former ‘Times’ columnist now goes head-to-head with UK Home Secretary Theresa May for the Tory party leadership. Ruling Conservative Party lawmakers will whittle the field down to two, before a final decision is made by party members with the new leader in place in early September. — Agencies