Michael Gove pledges to reduce immigration as he formally announces Tory leadership bid

Michael Gove promised to bring an end to freedom movement into the UK and reduce immigration numbers as he formally made his Conservative leadership bid today.

In a mammoth speech of more than 5,000 words, Gove described himself as the candidate for change and promised to bring about a change in democracy and UK politics.

He also stood by the promises the Leave campaign made before the referendum.

He said: "I promise to take back control of our borders.

"I will end free movement, introduce an Australian points style immigration and bring numbers down. WIth my leadership this will be delivered.

"I stand by the promises we made in that campaign, I will see through this mandate because I passionately asked for and argued for this mandate.

"The best person to lead Britain out of the European Union is the person who argued to get Britain out of the European Union

"Change and globalization has broken the British contract that says if you work hard at building a better life then that better life can be built ."

Speaking on his own leadership credentials, Gove reaffirmed the claim he had not wanted to become Prime Minister.

He said: "I worked day and night for Boris but came to realise for all his formidable talents he was not the right man for the task.

"I never thought I'd be in this position, I did not want it and indeed I did everything I could to avoid being nominated."

Gove announced yesterday that he would be joining the Prime Ministerial race, putting an end to Boris Johnson's hopes of running for the leadership.

As well as his pleadge to lower immigration, Gove promised at least £100million more a week for the NHS.

He also pledged to build hundreds of thousands of homes a year, both privately and socially rented.

Making a swipe at leadership rival Theresa May, he added: "I will use the money that we currently send to Brussels and instead invest it in the priorities of the British people, principally in the NHS, and to cut VAT on domestic fuel.

"I believe that the next Prime Minister has to be on the winning side of that argument, put simply, the best person to lead Britain out of the European Union is someone who argued to get Britain out of the European Union."

The latest odds make Gove second favourite to become Conservative leader, with Theresa May an overwhelming favourite.

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