{"id":1975,"date":"2024-05-24T22:59:07","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T22:59:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/michael-gove-steps-down-in-mass-exodus-of-mps-before-election\/"},"modified":"2024-05-24T22:59:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T22:59:07","slug":"michael-gove-steps-down-in-mass-exodus-of-mps-before-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/michael-gove-steps-down-in-mass-exodus-of-mps-before-election\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael Gove steps down in mass exodus of MPs before election"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Michael Gove steps down in mass exodus of MPs before election<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-8589xk-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-ybsy6a-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Michael Gove\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/OFAjSe.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/4924\/live\/8f96f1c0-19f9-11ef-baa7-25d483663b8e.png 976w\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732.5024469820555\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1hbb5i-BylineComponentWrapper e8mq1e90\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-qt5zqv-BylineWrapper e8mq1e917\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-h3c0s8-ContributorContainer e8mq1e916\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u2in0b-Container-ContributorDetails e8mq1e913\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-68pt20-Text-TextContributorName e8mq1e96\">Laura Kuenssberg and Jennifer McKiernan<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-84ltp5-Text e8mq1e910\">BBC News<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-jlwt2c-Divider e8mq1e915\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"timestamp-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2024-05-24T18:04:24.024Z\">24 May 2024, 19:04 BST<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2024-05-24T21:58:02.535Z\">Updated 1 hour ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Long-serving Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove has announced he will not stand at the general election, as the second full day of campaigning was marked by an exodus of MPs.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Gove, first elected MP for Surrey Heath in 2005, is understood to have made the decision in the last couple of days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He is the most high-profile of the nearly 80 Conservative MPs who have stepped down ahead of the 4 July vote &#8211; alongside public health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Gove has been a close ally of Rishi Sunak, who he said &#8220;has the plan our country needs&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As Parliament was prorogued and a handful of government bills rushed through before the cut-off:<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Plans to reform homeowners&#8217; rights in England and Wales passed in time, but without the Conservative manifesto commitment to restrict ground rents paid by leaseholders to next to nothing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A Conservative promise to abolish no-fault evictions for renters failed to get over the line, but a bill which paves the way to establish an independent Infected Blood Compensation Authority passed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Rishi Sunak admitted he was disappointed his plan to phase out smoking did not have enough time to become law, but he said it would be back if the Conservatives are returned to government<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Labour leader Keir Starmer said he can&#8217;t commit to scrapping university tuition fees &#8211; which he backed when running to be Labour leader &#8211; or repealing the two-child benefit cap, blaming a lack of resources<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Gove had a majority of 18,349 at the last general election. But his Surrey Heath seat is a key Liberal Democrat target on 4 July. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Lib Dems claimed Mr Gove was \u201crunning scared\u201d of their candidate Alasdair Pinkerton, who came second in the constituency in 2019. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Lib Dem Treasury spokesperson Sarah Olney MP said: &#8220;The drumbeat of Conservative MPs stepping down has been getting louder as the days go by &#8211; now it\u2019s deafening.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A long ministerial career saw Mr Gove first enter the cabinet as education secretary when David Cameron became prime minister in 2010. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Alongside Mr Johnson, he was one of the leaders of the Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">And he has been a key part of Mr Sunak&#8217;s top team as housing minister.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The PM has yet to comment on Mr Gove&#8217;s resignation, but earlier insisted he is &#8220;pumped up&#8221; on a whirlwind tour of all four nations of the UK in his first day of campaigning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Also on Friday, energy regulator Ofgem confirmed consumer bills will drop again from July, by seven percent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Sunak said the fall showed &#8220;the economy has turned a corner&#8221; and &#8220;our plan is working&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In Scotland, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was also eager to focus on energy, arguing that despite the falling price cap, an average family would still pay around \u00a3400 ($509) more annually than a few years ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He insisted his party&#8217;s plans to set up a new &#8220;Great British Energy&#8221; firm would help bring down bills and spearhead a Scottish-led &#8220;clean energy revolution&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"New-generation-should-lead\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1ipj56t-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">&#8216;New generation should lead&#8217;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a letter to his local Conservative Association chairman, Mr Gove thanked party members for helping him to win his seat at five general elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said his parents, who adopted him when he was four months old, brought him up with the belief that &#8220;to help others is the greatest gift you can be given&#8221; as he grew up in Aberdeen. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Gove said he could &#8220;never have imagined&#8221; having the opportunity to be an MP sitting in the Commons, &#8220;let alone around the Cabinet table&#8221; serving under four prime ministers &#8211; an unbroken 14 years apart from the brief premiership of Liz Truss. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said he was grateful to Lord Cameron for giving him the chance to pursue education reform, Mrs May &#8220;who asked me to support her in challenging times&#8221;, and Mr Johnson &#8220;who delivered Brexit and set out the levelling up vision&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Sunak, he added, &#8220;asked me to return to government when I believed my ministerial career had ended&#8221; and allowed him to pursue the cause of levelling up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a hint at his 2022 divorce from journalist Sarah Vine, who he married in 2001 and with whom he has two children, Mr Gove said: &#8220;I also know the toll office can take, as do those closest to me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He added: &#8220;The chance to serve is wonderful. but there comes a time when you know that it is time to leave. That a new generation should lead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On Brexit, he said: &#8220;I am proud to have led the Vote Leave campaign alongside Boris Johnson and Gisela Stuart &#8211; which secured the largest mandate in modern British history for a vote to leave the European Union and take back control of our political destiny.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Fundamentally our country is stronger with politicians in Westminster able to control our laws, our borders and our money. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Since 2016 we have also increased NHS funding by considerably more than \u00a3350m  a week.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Although he said &#8220;I have undoubtedly made mistakes&#8221;, Mr Gove said he had &#8220;always tried to be a voice for those who have been overlooked and undervalued&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I have tried to fight for greater social justice. My education reforms were designed to build a country where everyone &#8211; no matter their background &#8211; can become the authors of their own life stories,&#8221; he added. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"topic-list\" class=\"ssrcss-1qmkvfu-TopicListWrapper etw6iwl1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-smoc0a-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-50vlbt-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 type=\"normal\" class=\"ssrcss-1hh51ad-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related Topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1ujonwb-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Conservative Party<\/li>\n<li>Michael Gove<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"links-block\" class=\"ssrcss-5i1hhv-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1lqqmgw-LinksHeadingWrapper e3eyuya4\">\n<h2 type=\"normal\" class=\"ssrcss-1hh51ad-Heading e10rt3ze0\">More on Election 2024<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ypkflt-EndOfContentLinksGrid e3eyuya2\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-nw19pv-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1i933za-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-15dlehh-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">A simple guide to the 4 July general election<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">1 day ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-fmt1c3-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><span><\/p>\n<div><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/5N4qq5.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A woman holding a polling station sign\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/5N4qq5.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/EE87\/production\/_133336016_nzsxcbat.png 800w, https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/5N4qq5.png 976w\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-nw19pv-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1i933za-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-15dlehh-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">7 hours ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-fmt1c3-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><span><\/p>\n<div><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kEJYyR.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"BBC general election poll tracker image shows a hand with a ballot paper putting it in a ballot box with a chart of poll results behind\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kEJYyR.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6D31\/production\/_133335972_polltracker_index_promo-2-nc.png 800w, https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/kEJYyR.png 976w\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-nw19pv-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1i933za-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-15dlehh-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">How Rishi Sunak sprang election surprise on Tories<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">1 day ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-pffn4s-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><span><\/p>\n<div><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rishi Sunak\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/8vWFUR.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/7299\/live\/195c18b0-190d-11ef-a2ee-83d219b66e46.jpg 976w\" width=\"956\" height=\"538\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>Published at Fri, 24 May 2024 21:58:02 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michael Gove steps down in mass exodus of MPs before election PA Media Laura Kuenssberg and Jennifer McKiernan BBC News 24 May 2024, 19:04 BST Updated 1 hour ago Long-serving Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove has announced he will not stand at the general election, as the second full day of campaigning was marked by&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/michael-gove-steps-down-in-mass-exodus-of-mps-before-election\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Michael Gove steps down in mass exodus of MPs before election<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1974,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk-politics","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1975"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1975\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}