Talk:Michael Gove

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Extremism in schools

Gove's record is covered in the podcast The Trojan Horse Affair, particularly Episodes 4 and 5. May be useful material for the article there? Rankersbo (talk) 13:25, 8 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Education in infobox

It seems to be common practice to add secondary school or college for this parameter. But if you look at Template:Infobox person it actually says: "Education, e.g., degree, institution and graduation year, if relevant. If very little information is available or relevant, the?? Martinevans123 (talk) 19:14, 16 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Date of the image

The lead image's caption states that the photograph was taken in 2021, but I have found it being used on the internets in 2020. Either the image was taken 1 year after it had been used or it was taken in 2020 or before. I have changed it in the past but it has always been reverted to 2021. I will change it to 2020 until further discussion. Thank you. Tim O'Doherty (talk) 20:32, 3 November 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I am the uploader of the image and also one of the people who reverted it to 2021. At first I thought it was taken in this year, as the EXIF metadata of the GOV.UK image says that it was taken on 20 September 2021 at 13:49 pm. However, this image appears to be a crop of the full image uploaded onto Flickr, and the EXIF data also says that the programme for the GOV.UK file was Adobe Photoshop, though there is no date of acquisition listed. The EXIF data for the Flickr image does not state when the image was taken, nor does it state what programme or camera was used, etc. It is possible that the image was taken in 2020 and not 2021, though we cannot confirm this yet either. Do you remember where you saw it used in 2020? ThatRandomGuy1 (talk) 20:45, 12 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]
Official portrait, 15 September 2021
I've uploaded a cropped version of this official portrait dated 15 September 2021. I'm replacing the infobox image with that as it's only older than the current image by five days if the latter's GOV.UK EXIF data is correct, and unlike the current image it is not yet questionable when it was taken. It's also consistent with other Johnson cabinet ministers such as Priti Patel and Nadine Dorries. I think the old image should be put back if its date is confirmed to be 20 September 2021 though, since most politicians' infoboxes use their most recent official portrait available on Commons. Similarly, if a more recent official portrait is uploaded to Commons I think we should use that instead. ThatRandomGuy1 (talk) 16:19, 13 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]
I couldn't find the exact place where I saw the first use, but I did find this slightly odd tweet published on September 11, 2020. I don't think that tweets can be edited, and as the photo is attached, I believe it to be proof enough that the photo was taken during or before 2020. Tim O'Doherty (talk) 22:01, 19 December 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Robert Gordon School

I think you will find that Michael Gove went to Robert Gordon School and not Robert Gordon College. 92.10.224.227 (talk) 11:36, 7 June 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Could you quote a source? This BBC news page quotes Gove as saying, "When I look back at the 15-year-old I was, lurking at the back of your French class at Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, I cringe." Jean-de-Nivelle (talk) 12:19, 7 June 2024 (UTC)[reply]

30 May 2024?

What's the basis for saying that he stopped being Member of Parliament for Surrey Heath on May 30, 2024 when the article on his successor in that seat says the successor took office in July 2024? Did Gove resign? If he resigned or was expelled, say so. If he didn't, explain why the seat was vacant for all of June of 2024. The same May 30 date is given in the article on Liz Truss. If the U.K. deems it feasible to have its legislature cease to exist for a month, such a mind-bogglingly incredible fact needs to be footnoted in articles where it is relevant. What if a natural disaster had created an urgent need for new legislation in June of 2024? Who or what would be in charge if not The House Of Commons? For Members who won re-election on July 4th, is Wikipedia going to ensure that their time in office shows a gap in June 2024? If the re-elected persons are going to be represented by Wikipedia as having a period of service INCLUDING June of 2024, then what is the basis for asserting that those who did NOT win re-election (or did not run/stand) had a term of service NOT including May 2024? Either The House Of Commons exists all the time or it doesn't. One thing I'd like someone researching this to check is any kind of pension or seniority based on the length of service, to see if those lengths-of-service really do exclude June of 2024 or run all the say to July 4th of 2024.2600:1700:6759:B000:E894:BFCC:705D:880 (talk) 22:25, 7 July 2024 (UTC)Christopher Lawrence Simpson[reply]

Parliament was dissolved on 30 May, so that is when Gove ceased to be an MP. See Dissolution of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. DuncanHill (talk) 22:37, 7 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

GA review

This review is transcluded from Talk:Michael Gove/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Nominator: Andysmith248 (talk · contribs) 19:26, 21 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Reviewer: Llewee (talk · contribs) 13:36, 24 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Andysmith248, I will be making a series of suggestions to improve the article. Please use the  Done template to indicate that a problem has been dealt with. Feel free to add any comments or questions after each point.--Llewee (talk) 15:44, 26 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Early life

  • I think this section could include more information about Gove's interests or personality when he was young.
 Done
  • "Logan was put into care soon after he was born." - This needs a citation.
 Done
  • "before relocating to Rosehill Drive" - Was this another region of Aberdeen? It sounds like a street name.
Clarified.  Done
I can see you have tried to make clearer that Rosehill Drive is a street. The source doesn't mention the area it was located--Llewee (talk) 13:14, 29 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • "As he entered sixth year he had to apply for a scholarship as his family fell on difficult economic circumstances." - Had the family been paying fees up to that point?
Yes - he was fee-paying until sixth year. I added this information, as well as mentioning that he applied for a scholarship because his father's business collapsed.  Done
  • "In 1985 Gove went up to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford to study English." - "Up to" seems rather informal and geographically dubious given he is from Scotland. I would suggest changing.
 Done
  • "While there he joined the Conservative Party.[21]" - Is any information available about why he changed his views?
I think his involvement with the Oxford Union must have influenced his decision. I couldn't find a source explaining why he became a Conservative.
  • "He became a member of the Oxford University Conservative Association" - I couldn't find any mention of this in [it's source].
 Done
  • I assume developing the accent he has now must have been a deliberate decision at some point. Is any information available about that?
I also assume that as a child he would have had a Scottish accent. Therefore as he went through schooling and university he would have modified it, but I couldn't find a reliable source that says that.
  • I think the comments he made in university debates as a student should be mentioned in the Oxford section. They are discussed in this article which is cited elsewhere in the article.
 Done
I think the racial slur should be mentioned. The specific term is given in this article.--Llewee (talk) 13:14, 29 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]
OK, I've now included the full quote that the term originates from. Andysmith248 (talk) 21:02, 29 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • My Kindle sample of the Owen Bennett biography doesn't include exact page numbers, but it appears to include the information cited to it. I think you could include a mention of his adoptive sister.
  • "Gove himself later described feeling "intellectually out of place" at home" - This isn't a direct quote so I would suggest rewording.
 Done
  • "According to one former peer, "at the start of every lesson a hand would go up and it would be Michael"." - The source and Bennett's biography says it was a former teacher.
That's true - I corrected it.  Done
  • Thanks for sorting out the first citation issue Andysmith248. Given that numerous little problems have appeared in spotchecks of this section's referencing, I think it would be a good idea for you to check through the sourcing of the article before we go any further with the review.--Llewee (talk) 13:14, 29 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Will do. Thanks for all the comments so far. Andysmith248 (talk) 21:02, 29 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Early Career

Hello again Andysmith248, sorry for the few days' delay. I've got a couple of articles going through the other side of the GA review process.--Llewee (talk) 18:15, 5 October 2025 (UTC)[reply]

  • "Struggling to maintain his career in London," - could this be clarified?
 Done
  • "After moving to national television in 1991," - I wonder if using the term "UK-wide television" or similar might be more politic here. Given we are talking about Scotland.
 Done
  • "In 1995 he was identified by The Guardian as part of a group of "a new breed of 21st-century Tories"" - Could any detail be given about what they meant by this?
 Done
  • "He helped to write speeches for Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet ministers, including Peter Lilley and Michael Howard." - But he was working for the media at this point, not the conservative party?--Llewee (talk) 18:15, 5 October 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I found this source which mentions his speechwriting for Howard and was published after his selection as a parliamentary candidate in 2004. This is the only source I could find identifying his role as a speechwriter for Lilley. I moved that line to the end of the early career section. Andysmith248 (talk) 20:32, 8 October 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • "He broke the news of the 1995 Conservative Party leadership election thanks to his connections with the upper echelons of the party." -Could this be clarified?
 Done
  • "Gove co-founded Policy Exchange... " - not sure why this is split off into a separate paragraph
Rectified.  Done

Member of Parliament: 2005–2010

I've added some information about this to the early career section, so that the Member of Parliament section starts at the 2005 general election.  Done
  • "after the sitting MP Nick Hawkins was deselected by the local Conservative association" - Why was that?
I've added a reference to controversy over his personal conduct.  Done
  • "Gove was seen as part of an influential set of Conservatives referred to as the Notting Hill Set," - What did they believe in or want to achieve?
 Done
  • "Labour's top-down housing targets" - Could this be explained a bit more clearly?
 Done
  • "(a newly created department set up by Gordon Brown)" - I'm not sure if this is adding much.
Agreed - I removed it.  Done
  • "In the role he advocated the introduction of a Swedish-style education voucher system, whereby parents would choose where their child would be educated, with the state paying what they would have cost in a state school."
 Done
  • I assume this apply to private schools? If so, that should be made clear.
I think this applied to state schools as well as private schools. Andysmith248 (talk) 14:57, 12 October 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • "At the 2010 general election, Gove was re-elected, winning an increased majority of 17,289 and with an increased vote share of 57.6%" - It is possible I have misunderstood something but it seems a bit confusing to give the overall share of the vote in 2010 but the percentage majority in 2005.
Rectified.  Done

Secretary of State for Education: 2010–2014

  • "In July 2010, Gove said..." – Given we have a split of article for this section and politicians criticising their opponents is hardly out of the ordinary, I think it might be best to take this paragraph out.--Llewee (talk) 00:09, 29 October 2025 (UTC)[reply]
 Done
  • "Gove's second home was not in his constituency, but in Elstead, in the South West Surrey constituency. Gove sold the house and began to commute to his constituency." - When did this happen?
I couldn't find a reliable source mentioning when he sold his house. Andysmith248 (talk) 22:53, 3 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
 Done
  • "In June 2012, Michael Portillo backed Gove to be a serious contender in a future race for the Conservative Party leadership,[103] though Gove had said in an interview a few months before that "I'm constitutionally incapable of it. There's a special extra quality you need that is indefinable, and I know I don't have it. There's an equanimity, an impermeability and a courage that you need. There are some things in life you know it's better not to try."" - This reads like a criticism of Michael Portillo. I would suggest swapping the two sections around.
 Done
  • I feel like this section isn't giving that clear an overview of what Gove's reforms were or why they were controversial. I was a bit too young to remember much about politics in this period, but presumably teacher unions weren't passing motions against him because they objected to more classical authors being taught. Maybe start by going through the split-off article and considering what the main points that need to be included here are.
I've added information on the English Baccalaureate, a letter from critical academics, and strikes. Andysmith248 (talk) 22:53, 3 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • I have conducted a number of checks on sources in this section which were fine but I did notice a number of links that didn't work. I would suggest adding archive links where possible.--Llewee (talk) 19:15, 31 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Chief Whip: 2014–2015

  • "Gove was moved to the post of Government chief whip,[112] which was portrayed as a demotion by his detractors; Prime Minister Cameron denied this was the case." - Why was he moved?--Llewee (talk) 00:13, 30 October 2025 (UTC)[reply]
It was a political strategy ahead of the 2015 general election.  Done
  • "a specific media role saw Gove on television and radio" - What was the media role being referred to?
An "enhanced role in campaigning and doing broadcast media interviews".  Done
 Done
  • "as explained by Shadow Commons Leader Angela Eagle;" - This feels like an odd way of describing a comment by one of his opponents.
I agree. I changed it.  Done
  • "Gove remained in the post of chief whip until May 2015, when the role was taken over by Mark Harper." - Is any more information available about what Gove did in this role?
I've added the controversy about a vote on the European Arrest Warrant in November 2014.  Done

EU referendum

  • "his family spent Christmas with the Camerons at Chequers" - clarify that this was in 2015 and the "Camerons" were Cameron's family
 Done
  • "[t]he day after we vote to leave, we hold all the cards" - Did this mean in the negotiations with the EU? Could this be clarified?
 Done
  • "Gove was hoping for a respectable Leave turnout, after which he could set about repairing relationships that had been damaged during the campaign" - Did he say this?--Llewee (talk) 17:10, 2 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I found this information in Sarah Vine's memoir, so I've clarified the source.  Done

2016 leadership election

  • "Gove was not a candidate" - It might be helpful to clarify this (e.g was not expected to be a candidate)
 Done
  • "Gove said: ..." - I think this quote should be shortened and moved ahead of the other comments from newspapers.
 Done
Clarified.  Done

Out of office: 2016–2017

  • "Gove was told to "go and learn about loyalty on the backbenches" in a two-minute meeting with May" - Was there a reason why May was so hostile to him?
I believe that May was referring to Gove running in the 2016 leadership election. I've added the full quote. Andysmith248 (talk) 16:43, 14 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
  • "the first British post-election interview to Donald Trump in January 2017" - clarify that it was a US election, I think "to" should be "of"
 Done
I included relevant criticism from a commentator about this.  Done
  • I conducted a number of spot-checks on sources which were fine. I felt the wording in this sentence ("In December 2016, Gove defended...") was a bit to close to the source.--Llewee (talk) 23:19, 15 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: 2017–2019

  • "Gove said he "was quite surprised" to be asked to join the Cabinet after May dismissed him in 2016 after she became prime minister." - Is any information available about why she decided to do so?
I've added her public reason for the reshuffle.  Done
  • "would be put into place due to air pollution" - Would "to reduce" be clearer than "due to"?
Yes.  Done
 Done
  • "May survived a vote of no confidence in her government, after a "barnstorming" speech from Gove directed towards the Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn" - Clarify whether the speech was supportive of May
 Done
 Done

Hello Andysmith248, I have added another load of comments though obviously we are still some way from the end the article.--Llewee (talk) 19:05, 2 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

2019 leadership election

  • You don't mention what his position on Brexit was which I think was the main issue being discussed at the time?
To leave, but not necessarily on 31 October if more time was needed to reach a deal. I added this.  Done
  • A Times article from 1999 was a major component of leadership campaign?
I made this part refer to his cocaine use rather than the 1999 article.  Done
  • Could you mention Craig Oliver's job or add a link if he has a wiki article?
 Done
 Done
 Done

Duchy of Lancaster

  • "Writing in The Sunday Times on 28 July 2019, Gove..." - I think this paragraph could do with some additional context.
 Done
  • "Gove third in a list of that year's "Top 100 Most Influential Conservatives"." - What was the reasoning for this?
The requirements for inclusion in that list are given here. Andysmith248 (talk) 13:10, 2 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]
  • "of his potential exposure to the disease" - specify that this was COVID
 Done
  • "COVID-19 contract without a tender to a polling company" - Is the the name of the company known? Also, it's not a subject I am an expert in but would Invitation to tender be a helpful link here?
 Done
Clarified.  Done

Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

  • "Gove announced his intention to draft plans to allow Ukrainian refugees to be housed in Russian oligarchs' homes" - Did these come to anything?
No - I've clarified this.  Done
  • "The Daily Telegraph journalist Matthew Lynn attacked Gove's record in government," - I'm not sure the opinions of one journalist are really significant enough to include here. I'd imagine a lot of public figures/people have criticised Michael Gove at one point or other. If they are going to be mentioned a date needs to be given.--Llewee (talk) 23:06, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I've added that it was in June 2022.  Done

Out of office

  • "Gove variously backed and criticised the prime minister on" - Could the chronology be clarified here?
He did not hold two contradictory views, so I have amended this sentence. Andysmith248 (talk) 13:10, 2 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]
I've added that it was in late September 2022.  Done

Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 2

  • "Gove had previously said" - When?
It was that August.  Done
  • "in a mould-hit flat" - This sounds a bit tabloid; maybe a "flat infested with mold" or similar would be better?
Changed to "flat infested with mold".  Done
  • Apart from the law responding to the death of the child, the rest of the content of this section is related to titles or political gossip. Is any other information available about what he did in this position?--Llewee (talk) 23:41, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I've added the reporting that his department had to hand back £1.9 billion to the Treasury.  Done

Retirement from the Commons and return to journalism + House of Lords

I agree. I removed the section heading.  Done

Domestic issues

  • "not interfere in domestic affairs" - The term "domestic affairs" is often used to refer to political issues within, rather than between, countries. Would a phrase like "individuals' private lives" be clearer here?
Yes.  Done
  • "economic freedom in certain matters" - Could a example be given here?
 Done
  • "In remarks prepared for the 2020 Ditchley Lecture..." - These paragraph seems quite vague and not hugely helpful in a brief overview of his political views. I would suggest getting rid of the paragraph and moving it to the split off article if it is not already there.
 Done
  • Given he is probably best known for his activities as education minister, a brief discussion about his views on education could be helpful.
 Done
  • Given racism comes up a couple of times in the article a discussion about his attitudes to the subject could also be useful. I found this article on the issue.
 Done
I added his views on Scottish independence.  Done
  • I conducted a number of spot-checks on sources;
    • "Gove is considered socially liberal in some areas, such as his support for same-sex marriage." - From reading the section on Gove in the source, it doesn't mention him being socially liberal in general. I would suggest taking out that claim or adding another source for it.
    • "arguing that Scotland's strengths complement those of other parts of the UK" - This feels like quite close phrasing to the source.
    • "Gove favours an academically ..." - Could you add page numbers for the source?
  • "the blatantly eugenic association" - add a link to eugenics--Llewee (talk) 23:56, 15 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]

Personal life

  • "In January 2022, they were granted a decree nisi on the grounds of Gove's unreasonable behaviour" - Was it explained why his behaviour was considered unreasonable?
Would it be worth saying that the grounds for divorce given in court were that the marriage had "irretrievably broken down" and the "facts found proved being the respondent's unreasonable behaviour"? This article contains the information I found on this. Andysmith248 (talk) 13:10, 2 January 2026 (UTC)[reply]
I added details on his religious activity.  Done

Status of review

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Michael_Gove