Now Javid joins growing list of departing Tories
SAJID Javid will not contest his seat at the next election, he said yesterday.
The MP for Bromsgrove, who has held six Cabinet positions, admitted he had ‘wrestled’ with the decision but ‘after much reflection’ decided to call time on his parliamentary career.
He is the 13th Tory to confirm they will not run again after the deadline this month for MPs to indicate whether they will stand at the next election in 2024.
In a letter to his local Conservative Party association, Mr Javid, 55, said: ‘It has been a decision I have wrestled with for some time, but I have ultimately concluded not to stand again for what would be my fifth election.
‘Being the local MP and serving in Government has been the privilege of my life and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve. I always sought to make decisions in the national interest and in line with my values, and I can only hope my best was sufficient.’
Mr Javid was elected in 2010 and has held two of the four great offices of state, as Chancellor and Home Secretary.
He has also been Health Secretary and led the Communities, Business and Culture departments. He ran for the Tory leadership in 2019 and this summer.
Other MPs to have announced they will stand down include Dehenna Davison, 29, William Wragg, 34, and Chloe Smith, 40.
Tory MP Charles Walker, also set to step down, warned the party will ‘pay the price’ for mistakes, including ex-prime minister Liz Truss’s mini-Budget, and faces ten years in opposition.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – who shares a love of Star Wars with Mr Javid – tweeted: ‘He’s been a proud champion of enterprise and opportunity during his time in Government and on the backbenches – particularly for the people of Bromsgrove. May the Force be with you, Saj.’
Yesterday it was reported that Mr Javid has held talks with investment management firm Pimco about a job. He is also said to be talking to banks.