SAJID Javid today confirmed he’s running to replace Theresa May in No10 – vowing to “rebuild trust” in divided Britain.
The Home Secretary is the NINTH top Tory to throw his hat in the ring.
Reuters
He announced his candidacy in the wake of the party’s disastrous Euro elections result, the worst in its history.
In a video he posted online, Mr Javid – who’s dubbed himself “The Saj” – said: “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.
“And we must strengthen our society and economy so everyone can benefit from the opportunities which a prosperous nation provides.”
We must get on and deliver Brexit to ensure there is renewed trust in our democracy
Sajid Javid
The Bromsgrove MP, whose father was a Pakistani immigrant and bus driver, pledged to repay his debt to the UK.
He said: “I love my country, and my pledge to British people is to be a leader who is always straight and fighting for their interests.
“I entered politics to do my best for this country, the country which has done so much for me.
“As Prime Minister, I would strive to achieve that ambition every single day.”
As well as Mr Javid, eight other Tories have publicly declared that they want to succeed Mrs May in 10 Downing Street.
The frontrunner is Boris Johnson with Dominic Raab, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom vying to take his crown as the top Brexiteer in the race.
Cabinet ministers Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Matt Hancock and Rory Stewart have also put their names forward.
Other potential candidates for the leadership include Penny Mordaunt, James Cleverly, Graham Brady and Steve Baker.
What next in the Tory leadership election?
THERESA May’s resignation on Friday kickstarted the Tory leadership election.
The Prime Minister will formally stand down as party leader on June 7 – but will stay in place while the new PM is being chosen, rather than handing over to an interim chief such as David Lidington.
The leadership contest, overseen by party chairman Brandon Lewis, will take around six weeks.
Any Tory MP can enter the race, and the list of contenders is then whittled down by the parliamentary party.
MPs vote in multiple rounds, eliminating one candidate each time until just two are left.
The party’s 160,000 activists then choose behind the final shortlist of two, with the winner declared leader and Prime Minister.
When Mrs May became leader, she didn’t have to submit to a vote of members because Andrea Leadsom pulled out of the race.
So the last time activists have had a say on the leadership was 2005, when David Cameron defeated David Davis.
Mr Javid entered Parliament in 2010 and served as Culture Secretary, Business Secretary and Communities Secretary before being promoted to his current job last year.
He is a lifelong Eurosceptic who backed Remain in the 2016 referendum, but has since been trying to shore up his Brexiteer credentials.
Admirers point to his humble background as proof he can connect with a broad range of voters across the country.
Dan Charity – The Sun
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