Nicky Morgan Quotes

What is good is the fact that we've got a broad selection of candidates [for Prime Minister]... to choose from, representing a diverse set of backgrounds, a diverse set of perspectives.

I think this is what we must not lose sight of, present a confident, positive and optimistic platform for our country's future in which this Party appeals to the centre ground of British politics.

I have said before I think it would be really good to have a woman in the final two but that's a matter for the parliamentary party.

There is definitely a mood in the party for making sure that two cabinet heavyweights we have got, who come from different traditions, different sides of the EU referendum campaign, Theresa May and Michael Gove - it would be right to put them to the party in the country.

I think it's too soon. We are less than 24 hours since the polls closed, it's too soon to speculate. There's all sorts of names, I'm sure, around.

I think honestly that Michael [Gove] came to this decision[Prime Minister candidate] very late, that he needed to step up.

Of course now we know that couldn't be further from the truth, that the subjects that keep young people's options open and unlock doors to all sorts of careers are the Stem subjects.

It is equally important that we now secure the right deal for Britain - and the next leader must have the skill and credibility to put together the right team to renegotiate our exit from and future relationship with Europe and explain the final terms to the British people.

I have concluded unequivocally that the right person is Michael Gove and I am delighted to be endorsing his candidacy.

And it's a question of who the parliamentary party thinks is the right person to lead - not just in terms of the negotiations but also the wider 'one nation' agenda that we set out in our manifesto last year and that we were elected on.

It has become clear just how divided our nation is - between young and old, north and south and those with different education and work backgrounds. So it is clear to me that the next leader of the Conservative Party must be someone who can unite the country.

Let's be honest, the fact that Michael [Gove] announced very late in the process this morning that he was going to put his name forward, showed how much he had wrestled with this.

I didn't think I was the right person to do that job but I do think Michael Gove is and that's why I'm backing him.