My parents adopted me, and then, by the age of four or five, I was asking all sorts of questions, and they found themselves with a son who was interested in the sorts of things that they valued but weren’t natural to them. – Michael Gove
Adopting means opening your home, and heart, to a life you’ve never known. But there is nothing as richly rewarding as being an adoptive parent. – Michael Gove
Making promises and then saddling yourself with a political system and a political union that means that you cannot deliver those promises, I fear, doesn’t contribute to an atmosphere of trust and confidence in politics. – Michael Gove
The economic basis on which Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish nationalists made the case for separation was based on an oil price much higher than it is at the moment, so there will be no case for it. – Michael Gove
Were I ever alone in the dock, I would not want to be arraigned before our flawed tribunals, knowing my freedom could be forfeit as a result of political pressures. I would prefer a fair trial, under the shadow of the noose. – Michael Gove
One of the reasons why Australia and Canada have support for migration is because they control the numbers. – Michael Gove
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Conservative cabinet was called Hotel Cecil. – Michael Gove
Optimists – people who believe in Britain, who believe in democracy – they’re the people I believe who will vote for us to leave and take back control. – Michael Gove
It’s critical that children spend time before they arrive in school in a warm, attractive and inclusive environment, where they can learn through play, master social skills and prepare for formal schooling. – Michael Gove
Anyone who’s working in manufacturing here should know they will have increased opportunities if we leave the European Union. – Michael Gove
In this fallen world, I suspect we will never achieve perfection. But that won’t stop me trying. – Michael Gove
You know you don’t see hospital consultants going on strike, and I don’t believe that teachers and head teachers should. It’s within their rights, it’s a civil right, but I think it is wrong in terms of the reputation of the profession. – Michael Gove
I think, instead of the pessimism of the Remain campaign, we have an opportunity to think of the next generation. If we have faith in their talent, in their generosity, in their hard work, we can, if we leave the E.U., ensure the next generation makes this country once more truly great. – Michael Gove
The reason why I’m in Parliament is not really to see my colleagues win power; it is to see us at last in a position where we can give it up. – Michael Gove
At the moment, I’m afraid that the discipline system doesn’t give teachers the support that they need. One thing that I’ve been struck by is that the number of violent assaults on teachers increased last year. We need to be clear that teachers have the power they need in order to impose discipline. – Michael Gove
Jamie Dimon and J.P. Morgan are contributing millions to the Remain campaign because they do very nicely, thank you, out of the E.U. – Michael Gove
I think the people in this country have had enough of experts with organisations from acronyms saying that they know what is best and getting it consistently wrong. – Michael Gove
Hanging may seem barbarous, but the greater barbarity lies in the slow abandonment of our common law traditions. – Michael Gove
I have specifically argued that we need to change our relationship with the European Union by fundamentally reforming not just our relationship but the European Union itself. – Michael Gove
A lot of schools benefit from parents who are first- or second-generation immigrants, who expect the best for their children. – Michael Gove
If events had taken a different course, I could have been one of those children going to a school without the sorts of opportunities that I’ve subsequently had. – Michael Gove
In my view, our immigration policy means that we have some people who can come into this country – who we might want to say no to – and others, who we might want to attract, who can’t currently come in. – Michael Gove
I think it’s time that we said to people who are incapable of acknowledging that they’ve ever got anything wrong: ‘I’m sorry, you’ve had your day.’ Unelected, unaccountable elites, I’m afraid it’s time to say, ‘You’re fired. We are going to take back control.’ – Michael Gove
The people I admire most are those doing outstanding things for the poorest children, such as Michael Wilshaw at Mossbourne academy, Dan Moynihan and all those at the Harris academies, and those at chains such as Ark and the Haberdashers, who are driving up standards in the poorest areas. – Michael Gove
There are all sorts of people who will say disobliging things about me. I don’t mind that. I would rather people said, ‘This is a man that sticks to his principles, not a man who’s worried about popularity.’ – Michael Gove
