GOVE SET TO JOIN NO CAMP
Huge personal blow to his friend Cameron… but a massive boost to Brexit campaigners
MICHAEL Gove was poised to join the Leave campaign last night in what would be a massive blow to his close friend David Cameron.
Sources close to the Prime Minister said he was resigned to losing the support of the Justice Secretary, which will be a huge boost to the camp fighting for Britain to leave the European Union.
They said Mr Gove has decided to campaign for Brexit ‘with a heavy heart’, torn between his avowed euroscepticism and his loyalty to his friend.
The BBC reported that he had made up his mind to vote to leave no matter what agreement Mr Cameron came back with from Brussels. The coup for ‘out’ campaigners is hugely significant, and could make it easier for other senior ministers to join.
There have been months of speculation over which way the Justice Secretary would jump.
One Cabinet minister told Sky News: ‘It’s been coming for a while.’
The ‘Remain’ campaign has always tried to paint those who support exit from the EU as a group of politicians whose best days are behind them.
But Mr Gove is a politician in his prime, having masterminded the Tories’ education reforms and now in charge of the courts system. He and Mr Cameron have been close for many years, particularly since the latter was elected Conservative leader in 2005.
Last night the Justice Secretary’s spokesman declined to confirm or deny that he had joined the ‘Leave’ campaign, saying there would be no statement until after the Cabinet has met to discuss the deal.
‘Michael’s position has not changed – he supports the Prime Minister’s strategy to renegotiate our relationship with the European Union,’ he said.
‘As he has said before, it would be premature for anyone to make a judgment before the deal is concluded. Like the Prime Minister, he has not ruled anything out.’
The move comes after months of infighting in the ‘out’ campaign, which has been hampered by a clash of egos between the leaders of rival groups. At least five other Cabinet ministers were already expected to come out in support of voting to exit the EU.
They are Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Leader of the House of Commons Chris Grayling, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale and employment minister Priti Patel, who attends Cabinet. Yesterday Mr Whittingdale said: ‘I’m waiting to see the outcome of the deal in Brussels.’
The Prime Minister has said Cabinet responsibility will be suspended for the duration of the referendum campaign, with ministers allowed to support Brexit if they wish after he reaches his deal with the other 27 EU members. Around 20 ministers – including the five of Cabinet rank – are expected to support the Leave campaign.
Other former eurosceptics, including Home Secretary Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, are expected to support the Remain campaign.
Grassroots Out, one of the Leave groups, last night held a rally in central London attended by former Tory leadership candidate David Davis. The former Europe minister said Mr Cameron’s renegotiation was ‘worthless’.
‘This whole long drawn out renegotiation process has highlighted the EU’s undemocratic institutional arrogance,’ he said.
‘It shows the utter disregard Brussels has for member states. It is the perfect example of how Britain is ruled by the EU.
‘ The Prime Minister goes to Brussels, cap in hand, begging the Germans, the Poles and the Romanians to make the most minor concessions on areas of trade, border control and benefits – concessions which make no difference, concessions which are completely worthless.
‘Far from restoring independence to Britain, this deal blows apart the whole myth that Britain controls its own destiny.
‘The British public now have the opportunity join a historic fight to win our country back.’
Tory MEP David Campbell Bannerman said: ‘The Prime Minister has requested absolutely nothing so he will be delighted when he returns from Brussels with absolutely nothing.
‘The “deal” will be feeble and worthless – an IOU. Not legally enforceable or deliverable.
‘A blank cheque that is unsigned, undated, unclear and forever stuck in the post.’
Backbench Tory MP Adam Afriyie said being in the EU was like being ‘imprisoned, incarcerated’, adding: ‘And it’s like the prison wardens are coming to us saying “hey, you should really stay in this prison because we’re going to give you an extra bowl of gruel”.’
Owen Paterson, the former environment secretary, said that the EU would continue to tell us to do as we are told if Britain votes to remain.
He added: ‘This is a complete pantomime; it’s a sideshow to the real, massive negotiation which is pushing the Eurozone towards forming a new country, allowing the non-euro countries to have some sort of associate status.’
‘It’s been coming for a while’