THE Tories could stage a Trump-style upset in the upcoming general election, Michael Gove has claimed.
The outgoing Cabinet Minister drew a parallel between the Conservatives’ chances and Donald Trump‘s unexpected victory in 2016.
AlamyMichael Gove announced he would step down after the election was called after being an MP since 2005[/caption]
Michael Gove says former US President Donald Trump was given an 11 per cent chance of winning in 2016AP
His comments come as the Tories have seen their polling numbers plummet during the campaign – with four major polls this week predicting they are on course for their worst result ever.
But the Levelling Up Secretary – who is not standing in the election – told broadcasters this morning his party still has a fighting chance.
He said: “I would never ordinarily invite a comparison with Donald Trump, but Donald Trump was given I think, an 11 per cent chance of winning in the 2016 presidential election.
“And he won. So even a small chance is a chance.”
The Cabinet Minister had also earlier insisted there was still time to stage a late comeback – with a reference to former Man United manager Alex Ferguson.
He told Sky News: “There are opinion polls, as I’ve acknowledged and as we both know, that are not great, but it’s not the 90th minute, we’re not in ‘Fergie time’ yet.”
He added: “I’m a Scotland fan, so you wait until the final whistle.
“Sometimes it looks as though the odds are against you, but you keep on fighting.”
Some of Mr Gove’s Cabinet colleagues have been less upbeat about their party’s prospects.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps suggested on Monday that a Conservative victory was unlikely.
And Wales Secretary David TC Davies told The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots yesterday the Tories will “get it in the neck” with the election only heading in “one direction”.
He said his party “can’t hide” from polls which are “clearly pointing at a large Labour majority”, but warned Sir Keir Starmer would become “very unpopular, very quickly”.