Michael Gove tells Tories to look beyond core vote

The Conservative Party must appeal “beyond its core vote and put forward a reforming, forward-looking agenda”, Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, will tell Theresa May today.

Mr Gove will make his second intervention in less than a week on the future policy direction of the party, fuelling speculation that he still bears hope about becoming Tory leader.

He is backing Onward, a new think tank that is developing policies on the Left of the party, and is expected to speak at its Westminster launch today alongside Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson. Ahead of the launch, he said: “The Conservative Party is at its best when it appeals beyond its core vote.”