Michael Gove is Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and MP for Surrey Heath.

After Oxford University, Michael began a career in journalism, culminating in his role as a columnist for The Times newspaper. He was first elected as MP for Surrey Heath in 2005 and has since enjoyed many roles on the Conservative front bench, serving three Prime Ministers.

Michael first served as Shadow Housing Minister followed by Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (2007). He was appointed Secretary of State for Education (2010 to 2014) by David Cameron in the 2010 coalition Government and also served as Chief Whip (2014 to 2015) and Lord Chancellor & Secretary of State for Justice (2015 to 2016).

During the 2016 EU referendum campaign, Michael was co-convener of Vote Leave and took on a leading role during the campaign, making the case for the UK to leave the EU.

In June 2017, Michael was appointed by Theresa May as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2017 to 2019) and after the Conservative party leadership contest which saw Boris Johnson elected Leader and Prime Minister, Michael was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with responsibility for Brexit preparedness. After the 2019 General Election, Michael was re-elected as MP for Surrey Heath and reappointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In September 2021, Michael was appointed as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. The Prime Minister has tasked him with leading the Government’s central mission to ensure opportunity is spread more equally across the United Kingdom.

Michael is married to Sarah, a Columnist with the Daily Mail and they have two children, Beatrice and William.

Michael has published studies of the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the West’s response to Islamist Terrorism, and is a Visiting Fellow of Nuffield College Oxford.