Gove: This government isn’t working
»»‘Basic functions’ failing »»Kemi out in leader race
THE most basic parts of government aren’t working, senior Tory Michael Gove admitted yesterday.
The former Justice Secretary said the state should “do fewer things better”, as his choice to be Prime Minister – Kemi Badenoch – became the latest to exit the bitter leadership race.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is now the new bookies’ favourite, on 6-5 with Betfair, to succeed Boris Johnson as PM.
But while attention is focused on the battle for No10, basic services are being left to wither, former Levelling Up Secretary Gove warned.
Speaking hours before Badenoch was ditched, he told the Policy Exchange think-tank: “We need a strong and effective state, limited in what it chooses to do.
“I’m not a minimalist… I believe there are certain central functions the state needs to do better, which we fail to deliver at the moment. “There are some core functions – giving you your passport, your driving licence – which are not functioning.
“But there are also broader needs, huge issues, like defence procurement, or the way in which we invest in science, research and development, where a variety of bureaucratic impediments have accreted.”
The admission is a damning indictment after 12 years of Tory rule.
As support for Truss surged, she is battling it out with Penny Mordaunt to face former Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Badenoch came last in the latest MPs’ ballot on 59 votes, with Truss on 86, Trade Minister Mordaunt on 92 and Sunak on 118, just short of the 120 that effectively guarantees entry to the final phase.
His chances of becoming PM drifted out to 7-5, while Mordaunt is at 6-1.
The last round of MPs’ votes is today, before the final two hustle for Tory member votes, with the result due on September 5.