Michael Gove Launches Conservative Party Leadership Bid On Twitter, Gets Lots Of Negative Response

"Delete your account."

As the nation's politics is left in turmoil after the Brexit vote, all eyes are on the Conservative Party's leadership contest to see who will be the next prime minister when David Cameron steps down.

Michael Gove announced his intention to run on Thursday, effectively dashing any hopes Boris Johnson had of leading the party.

Gove joined Twitter on Friday morning to formally announce his candidacy.

I am delighted to be running for leadership of the Conservative Party #Gove2016

— Michael Gove MP (@Gove2016) July 1, 2016

As usual, the response was less than warm.

@Gove2016 I'm delighted to be able to call you a jizztrumpet.

— Diamond Lights (@DiamondLights61) July 1, 2016

@Gove2016 We're all thrilled too. #gove2016 pic.twitter.com/W5sJEexc0C

— Matt (@Matt_in_London) July 1, 2016

.@Gove2016 I think you're the *only* one who's delighted. The rest of us are weeping in despair.

— By Becky (@Theatregleek1) July 1, 2016

@Gove2016 delete your account

— xxxy (@triplexy) July 1, 2016

It didn't take long for people to reference THAT clip of him clapping like a weirdo.

Yay! Michael Gove is on Twitter at last. Give him a warm welcome... @Gove2016 https://t.co/hNGzcu2ElL

— The Sun Apologies (@SunApology) July 1, 2016

@Gove2016 you clap your hands like a seal mate

— Jamie Milton (@musicfansmic) July 1, 2016

Or his very public love life, courtesy of his columnist spouse Sarah Vine.

.@Gove2016 your wife described having sex with you as a chore akin to putting the bins out

— Sam Kriss (@sam_kriss) July 1, 2016

And obviously there's his appearance.

@Gove2016 you look like an egg that's gone off a bit

— Jamie Osman (@jamieosman) July 1, 2016

People really weren't being very nice to him.

.@Gove2016 Good move with the 2016 in your handle, there. Both it and you will be obsolete in less than 6 months.

— Derek Bond (@derekbond) July 1, 2016

But really, being a Conservative Party leadership contest, there's only one question that really matters in 2016.

@Gove2016 have you had a relationship with a pig?

— Matt Bowes (@Mattbowes80) July 1, 2016

Tweeters were quick to mention Gove's ties with Rupert Murdoch.

@Gove2016 You really are a horrid man ... backstabbing Murdoch puppet! pic.twitter.com/LarZGTufOO

— BeCo (@BeCo74) July 1, 2016

And just generally having a go at him.

.@Gove2016 Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame.

— Toby Pestridge (@TobyPestridge) July 1, 2016

@Gove2016 Gove-uck yourself

— Phil Jones (@hoisin) July 1, 2016

And, of course, they referenced all the weird things he looks like.

.@Gove2016 pic.twitter.com/KRt5fvbuxu

— Dr Brooke Magnanti (@belledejour_uk) July 1, 2016

@gove2016 So pleased! I loved your work in Goosebumps when I was growing up. #Gove2016 #hauntedventriloquistdummy pic.twitter.com/bhNfHTs2Go

— Cthulhu Fhtagn (@EoinOKane) July 1, 2016

.@Gove2016 loved you in Ghostbusters 2! pic.twitter.com/USMudYUSm7

— swaby (@Accswaby) July 1, 2016

Gove will now face off against Home Secretary Theresa May, Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb, and former Defence Secretary Liam Fox for the right to lead the party and, by default, the country.

A result is expected on 9 September.

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