Whipping for Gove?

THERE is arguably nothing more ruthless than politics, something Surrey Heath MP Michael Gove became acutely aware of this week.

Prime Minister David Cameron completed his boldest-ever reshuffle in a bid to win the Conservatives the General Election next year. In a series of moves designed to woo back disaffected voters, Cameron promoted 10 women in a day which saw 40 new appointments.

In a sign the Tory leader is prepared to win at all costs, he removed education secretary Gove, his close friend and ally, from the cabinet. Surrey Heath residents can hopefully look forward to more focus and attention from Gove, elected in May 2005 with a huge majority, now that his Westminster role has been reduced.

Cameron took to Twitter to announce Gove’s removal and new role as Commons chief whip, with which he is due to ‘have an enhanced role in campaigning and doing broadcast media interviews’.

With Gove’s office initially quiet on the issue, speculation circulated that Gove’s move was out of choice, as a result of his education reforms being complete, while other commentators believe the switch was caused by his growing unpopularity with teachers.

Alan Cleverly, secretary and agent for the Surrey Heath Conservative Association, told the News & Mail he was ‘a little mystified about’ the decision, suggesting it was a surprise to Gove after all.

In the aftermath of the decision, Cameron has said the change did not represent a punishment, reiterating that chief whip was one of the most important jobs in government, while Gove said he didn’t know whether to describe the move as a ‘demotion, emotion, promotion or locomotion’.

Whatever the ins and outs, Gove will inevitably be upping his focus on his constituents as May 2015 draws ever closer.