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Welcome to Political Thinking, an extended conversation with someone who shapes our political

thinking about what has shaped theirs. This week's guest is Michael Gove, who's just

announced his intention to run to be our next Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative

Party, who joined me here in a special edition of Political Thinking in the BBC Tent

at the Hay Festival. Michael Gove, welcome to Political Thinking. Now, I should start by

pointing out this interview was fixed a very long time ago before we knew Theresa May would resign.

So, should we steer clear of all that sorted stuff about wanting to run the country?

Should we do that? Yeah, I think that would be a good idea. But thank you very much for inviting

me, Nick. My original intention was to have a great conversation with you to spend the night here

and then to spend tomorrow morning, pottering around the bookshops and having a relaxing time.

But I'm afraid a week is a very long time in politics and I shan't be able to enjoy myself

quite as much as I was hoping to tomorrow. Now, you are famous for hanging around in bookshops

and then coming back to your office with a book for different officials and civil servants.

Something you think might please them. Is that true? Is that something you do?

Yes, I sometimes pop into the Oxfam bookshop just around the corner from the department and

pick up things there which I think might be of interest. And every Christmas I give presents to

my staff and my private office. And I make sure that sometimes I'll give them a box of wine or

something. But I try and choose a book that I think that they will find of interest.

Often something I've read but often something that I've had recommended which I hope they'll enjoy.

So, what should I add to my reading list? Well, it's difficult to know where to start.

But one of the things... You give me a break. I've reached so little. No, no, no, no, no.

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