EXCLUSIVE: Gove urges Starmer to deliver ‘comprehensive anti-extremism strategy’ after synagogue attack
Former Cabinet minister tells Jewish News last Tory government failed to effectively deliver plan to tackle extremism
Conservative peer and former cabinet minister Michael Gove has called on Keir Starmer’s government to introduce a “fundamental and comprehensive anti-extremism strategy” following the terror attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.
Speaking to Jewish News at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Gove—now editor of The Spectator and a member of the House of Lords after stepping down as MP for Surrey Heath last year—admitted that while in government he had tried to develop an effective response to both Islamist and far-right extremism, he ultimately fell short.
“We didn’t deliver it effectively. I must take my fair share of blame for that,” he said.
Reflecting on last week’s Yom Kippur attack—just a 20-minute drive from the conference venue—Gove noted that both the Jewish and wider community would “have been left heartbroken by what happened, but not surprised.”
“There have been warnings about the rising tide of antisemitism, and they haven’t been heeded,” he said. “I hope now they will.”
Asked what action the government should take in the wake of the attack and amid growing concerns over future threats, Gove was clear: “The action that is required is a fundamental and comprehensive anti-extremism strategy from the government.”
Gove was present at last week’s Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where he was seen in discussions with senior Labour figures.
On Labour’s response to the extremist threat, he said, “There has been a failure to analyse where the roots of antisemitism are, and to take that on. It requires a degree of honest intellectual heart-searching.”
He argued that the Labour government should adopt the framework set out in his own anti-extremism strategy, insisting, “The tools are there for the government to deliver it.”
Gove also expressed continued support for current Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, despite internal criticism and speculation about her future.
“Kemi has all the qualities of leadership and integrity necessary. It is always difficult for a party after 15 months, following 14 years in government, but the important thing to do is to hold one’s nerve,” he said.
He praised Badenoch’s conference speech on Sunday, saying it showed “the right lessons have been learned from the defeat” at the last general election.
Gove, who served in Cabinet for nearly the entirety of the Conservatives’ 14 years in power—holding posts including education, justice, environment, and housing secretary under four prime ministers—also attended last month’s Reform UK conference.
However, he voiced scepticism over Nigel Farage’s ability to address the country’s challenges.
Gove, who was handed a peerage in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list in April, urged for “collective” scrutiny of Reform UK’s policies ahead of the next general election.
“We need to make sure that collectively we hold Reform to account,” he said.
“It’s understandable that people are exasperated with mainstream politics and feel that supporting Reform is the right way forward.
“But we still have a long way to go before the election. During that period, we all have a responsibility to hold Reform to account for their policies.”
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