Let me heal Brexit divide, urges Javid
As 2 more enter Tory leadership race...
SAJID Javid last night vowed to bridge Britain’s Brexit divide as he entered the race to succeed Theresa May. The Home Secretary said he wanted to become the next prime minister in order to serve the country that has ‘done so much for me’.
Mr Javid was joined by housing minister Kit Malthouse last night as the Tory leadership race grew to ten runners.
Launching his campaign in a video posted on Twitter, Mr Javid said: ‘First and foremost, we must deliver Brexit.’
The 49-year-old, who backed Remain in the referendum but has since positioned himself as a firm Leaver, added: ‘My message is simple, it’s time to rebuild trust, to find unity and to create new opportunities for our country.
‘As last night’s results made all too clear, we must get on and deliver Brexit to ensure there is renewed trust in our
‘Fighting for their interests’
democracy. We must bridge divides to heal communities, reminding us of our shared values as a United Kingdom.’
Mr Javid said there was a need to ‘strengthen our society and economy so everyone can benefit from the opportunities that a prosperous nation provides’.
He added: ‘I love my country and my pledge to the British people is to be a leader who is always straight, fighting for their interests.
‘I entered politics to do my best for this country, the country that has done so much for me. As prime minister, I would strive to achieve that ambition every day.’ Mr Javid became the first home secretary from an ethnic minority background when he was appointed in April 2018.
The son of a Pakistani bus driver from Rochdale, he was a managing director at Deutsche Bank before being elected to Parliament. Mr Javid’s supporters are touting his experience after serving in the Cabinet since 2014 as culture secretary, business secretary, communities secretary and now home secretary.
Mr Malthouse, 52 – who rose to prominence in January when he was behind a Brexit peace plan called the ‘Malthouse compromise’ – said last night: ‘This leadership campaign cannot be about the same old faces, scarred by the wars that have split the Tory party over the last three years.
‘I believe I’m the new face, with fresh new ideas.’