Let me bridge the divide, urges Home Secretary
SAJID Javid last night vowed to bridge Britain’s Brexit divide as he became the ninth Tory to enter 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’.
Launching his leadership 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 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 201 .
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.
While other candidates rushed to declare they would stand to be the next Tory leader within hours of Mrs May announcing she would step down, Mr Javid held back until yesterday, in the wake of the European Parliament election results.
He joins eight other Tory MPs vying for the top job, including Cabinet colleagues Jeremy Hunt, Rory Stewart, Matt Hancock and Michael Gove.
Former Cabinet ministers Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey, Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson have also thrown their hats into the ring to replace Mrs May.
The new Tory leader looks set to take over as prime minister at the end of July, after Mrs May finally laid out a timetable for her exit from Downing Street.
Nominations for the Tory leadership close in the week of June 10, with MPs involved in a series of votes to whittle down the crowded field to a final two contenders.