What Hurtful Attacks Did Sarah Vine Face?
Former Conservative cabinet member Michael Gove has freely said that “the thing that hurt most” was the abuse aimed at his ex-wife, Sarah Vine, throughout his political career. Gove spoke about how Vine was wrongly portrayed as a “Lady Macbeth figure,” especially in light of his support of Boris Johnson as the Tory leader following the Brexit referendum in 2016, amid a turbulent moment in British politics.
Gove said, emphasizing the emotional toll such attacks can take on those in public view, “The fact she was attacked in that way at a time of turmoil generally was incredibly hurtful.”
How Does Gove Candidly Look at Political Life?
Gove, who resigned as an MP before June’s general election, opened up about his political experiences in his new series, Surviving Politics with Michael Gove. In this series, he interacts with politicians from different parties, delving into the abilities needed to negotiate complex public life events.
In one episode, Gove spoke with former cabinet member Peter Mandelson, a Labour spin doctor now editor of The Spectator magazine. Gove asked Mandelson for guidance on newly appointed Labour MPs joining Parliament following the most recent general election.
Emphasizing the need for clarity in political ideas and goals, Mandelson counseled, “Be very clear about what you believe in, what your convictions are, what your project is, and what you want to achieve.” Then he asked Give a contemplative question: “All sorts of things have happened to you during your political career. Should you have to choose one very personal item that caused pain, what was that?
What Impact Did a Leaked Email Have?
Gove related a particularly traumatic event from 2016: Vine unintentionally released a secret communication meant for him and his close advisers to a member of the public. Subsequently, the email was disclosed to the media, which caused significant upheaval. Vine had advised in the email that her husband gets guarantees from Johnson, noting, “Otherwise, you cannot guarantee your support” for his leadership run.
Two days later, Johnson dropped out of the leadership contest when Gove unexpectedly attempted to head the Conservative Party. Saying, “whom I still love very much,” Gove expressed his ongoing love for his ex-wife and defended her character against the “Lady Macbeth” analogues.
How Does Gove Defend Against Misunderstandings?
“It’s always fine if you’re attacked on ground where you think, yeah, I’m happy to defend myself,” Gove said. “But it’s especially tough when a misunderstanding influences someone close to you.”
“It’s when people seek to construct a narrative and they draw someone else in, and that person is collateral damage in an attack on you,” he said, stressing the emotional weight of being under public scrutiny. It hurts so severely.
Considering Gove’s experience, Mandelson said, “I saw an echo of that in my own life, with my partner, now husband, when they went for him and they did.”
What Personal Struggles and Political Battles Did Mandelson Face?
Mandelson discussed his difficulties in the interview, remembering how he was informed that his homosexuality could limit his chances of joining Parliament. “I was gay thus I didn’t even think I could necessarily enter Parliament,” he said. Recalling being advised, “You’re going to find it very difficult to be selected,” he detailed his challenges.
The first campaign Mandelson oversaw in the 1987 election was targeted mercilessly by News of the World. He discussed the internal conflicts inside the Labour Party and the power struggle between Gordon Brown and Tony Blair as they fought for leadership during the 1990s.
Who Are the Change-makers in Politics?
Mandelson discussed his opinions on “change-makers” in the Labour government, citing Health Secretary Wes Streeting as “courageous.” He said, “Courageous and foolish? Let me say that unless you intend to be a minister like that, there is no reason for you to be in politics.
Emphasizing his dedication to helping audacious political leaders, Mandelson said, “If there are others like Wes Streeting, then I’ll certainly be supporting them.”
With these insights, Gove and Mandelson underline the personal challenges and emotional toll that accompany public service, as well as the need for resilience and conviction in the face of hardship.
