Michael Gove Launches Conservative Party Leadership Election Bid - Here Are All The Times He Said He'd Be A Bad Prime Minister

'I'm constitutionally incapable of it.'

Michael Gove has announced he will stand for the Conservative Party leadership - a move that might surprise anyone who has listened to anything he's said over the last four years.

The justice secretary has repeatedly insisted he doesn't want to be Prime Minister - right up to the point he confirmed he would stand on Thursday.

Here's a look back at those memorable moments:

Four years ago
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I'm constitutionally incapable of it. There's a special extra quality you need that is indefinable, and I know I don't have it. There's an equanimity, an impermeability and a courage that you need. There are some things in life you know it's better not to try."
Five months after that
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I don't want to be prime minister... Having seen close up how [Cameron] does the job, I know that I couldn't do it.

"I don't know what I can do in a way but if anyone wants me to sign a piece of parchment in my own blood saying I don't want to be prime minister, then I'm perfectly happy to do that."
Two months after that
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"There are lots of other folk, including in the Cabinet, who could easily be Prime Minster. I'm not one of them. I could not be Prime Minister. I'm not equipped to be Prime Minister. I don't want to be Prime Minister."
Last month
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"I don’t want to do it and there are people who are far better equipped than me to do it.

"And there are people who have advocated Leave and people who have advocated Remain who are far better than me to do it.”
Three weeks ago
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"The one thing I can tell you is there are lots of talented people who could be Prime Minister after David Cameron but count me out."
12 days ago
ASSOCIATED PRESS
"In order to be prime minister of this country, you need to be an exceptional person... I don’t think I have got that exceptional level of ability required for the job."
Announcing his leadership bid today
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
"I have always said that I do not want to be Prime Minister. That has always been my view."
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