Sajid Javid has announced he will not stand at the next general election, saying being an MP has been a “privilege of [his] life”.
The former chancellor, who has held a number of senior government posts alongside his Bromsgrove seat, is the most high-profile Tory MP to stand down at the next national vote, expected in 2024.
It comes amid reports that the Conservative Party has told its MPs to decide on their future by Monday, with a number of junior members already confirming their departures.
He also made the announcement on the day Labor secured a historic majority in the Chester by-election, with stark warnings that such a change at national level could cause big problems for the Tories next time the country goes to the polls.
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In a letter to his party chairman posted on Twitter, Mr Javid said it was “a decision I’ve been struggling with for some time” but one that had been “accelerated” by the party’s deadline.
“Being a local MP and serving in government has been the privilege of my life and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve,” he said.
“I have always sought to make decisions in the national interest and in line with my values and I can only hope that whatever I have given has been enough.”
He promised the decision would not affect his work as an MP for the rest of his time in office, adding: “I will of course continue to support my friend the Prime Minister and the people of Bromsgrove in any way I can.”
“Proud Champion of Entrepreneurship and Opportunity”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “sad to see my good friend… retire from politics”, tweeting: “He was a proud champion of enterprise and opportunity during his time in government and on the backbenches – especially for the people of Bromsgrove.”
Ending with a quote from Star Wars, the Prime Minister added: “May the Force be with you, Sage.”
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Mr Javid first entered parliament in 2010 at the start of the coalition government and got his first front bench job in 2012 as economic secretary to the Treasury.
Over the past 12 years, he has held some of the highest government posts, including Home Secretary and Chancellor.
Mr Javid left the latter role in 2020 – less than three months into the job – after then-prime minister Boris Johnson and his senior adviser Dominic Cummings insisted he sack his aides and replace them with ones hand-picked by Downing Street.
He returned to Mr Johnson’s top team as health secretary in June 2021 after Matt Hancock resigned after being caught on CCTV kissing one of his aides and breaching his own COVID guidelines.
But he was the first minister to resign in the wave of departures that led to Mr Johnson’s fall in the summer, followed minutes later by then chancellor and now prime minister Mr Sunak.
Mr Javid twice ran for the leadership of his party but lost to Mr Johnson and his successor Liz Truss.
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