Sacking Gove was a mistake

Idon’t demur that the ruthlessness with which Mrs May formed her administration bodes well. She was sensible to follow the unlamented departure of David Cameron, whom history will not judge well, by dumping some of his cronies: especially George Osborne, not only a poor finance minister but a malign force in the party to whom cronyism became a cult.

But her big mistake was to sack Michael Gove, an act she calculated would offend few colleagues because of the ridiculous accusations of “treachery” laid at Mr Gove’s feet. He was the best justice secretary since that post was created and an exemplary education secretary. Few in her Cabinet match his abilities. The party needs all the talent it can get: but Mrs May has diminished herself by an act that looks personal, vindictive, petty and spiteful.