Months of protestation and denial, it seems, were little more than a ruse. Just days before Britain’s historic EU referendum, justice secretary and Vote Leave figurehead Michael Gove dismissed the suggestion that a Brexit result could send him to the country’s highest office, confirming only that he would reconsider his position in incumbent PM David Cameron’s cabinet if the pro-Brexit campaign failed to win the support of the British public. But fail it did not, and now, just one week after the historic vote, Mr Cameron’s soon-to-be-empty chair is firmly in Mr Gove’s sights.

Boris not up to the task, says Gove

In a surprise announcement yesterday, Mr Gove confirmed that he would contest the leadership of the Conservative party. His decision to enter the race is a blow to fellow pro-Leave campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson, who many had pegged as Mr Cameron’s most likely successor. ‘[I] have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead,’ said Mr Gove of the decision to put his own name forward for the job, promising an agenda of ‘unity and change’ if his bid for Number 10 is successful.

Internal opposition

According to reports from the BBC, the inner circle of the Conservative party is none too thrilled with Mr Gove’s unexpected candidacy. Sources have reported that some Conservative ministers have attempted to dissuade Mr Gove from his leadership bid so that the party can unite around presumed frontrunner Theresa May. Others are strategising to ensure that Mrs May secures a strong majority among the 329 MPs on the first leadership ballot on Tuesday, to nudge Mr Gove out of the contest.

Sources: The Guardian; BBC