The Many Times Michael Gove Said He Did Not Want To Be Prime Minister

Michael Gove effectively scuppered Boris Johnson’s Prime Ministerial ambitions by making a Conservative Party leadership bid on Thursday.

“I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris [Johnson] cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead,” wrote Gove in Thursday’s statement. “I have, therefore, decided to put my name forward for the leadership.”

Since the announced resignation of U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, five high-ranking Conservative members like Gove have made their bids in the party’s leadership contest. But what has caught everyone’s attention is the number of times the Vote Leave campaigner has insisted that he would never run as leader.

Watch the full clip above.