Sajid Javid joins race to become next Tory leader after party dealt hammer blow in European elections

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has officially launched his bid to be the next Tory leader by pledging to deliver Brexit after the party suffered its worst ever election defeat. 

Three days after Theresa May announced her resignation, Mr Javid made his pledge to deliver on the result of the referendum after the Brexit Party came top in the European elections. 

Mr Javid, who has held a range of ministerial posts since his election as MP for Bromsgrove in 2010, said there was a need to “restore trust, bring unity and create new opportunities across the UK”.

The 49-year-old, who backed Remain in the referendum but has since positioned himself as a firm Leaver, said: “First and foremost, we must deliver Brexit.”

In a video, he 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’s 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. “ 

Mr Javid, the son of a Pakistani bus driver from Rochdale, became the first home secretary from an ethnic minority background when he was appointed in April 2018.

Mr Javid’s announcement came as other Tory leadership contenders scrambled to make their pledges over Brexit, with Jeremy Hunt saying the Conservatives were facing “existential risk” unless they break the impasse.

Former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said voters had delivered a message that “unless we get on and actually leave the EU they will rightly kick us out at the next election”.

Andrea Leadsom, who quit as leader of the Commons, said the nation should “never have been fighting these elections” and said she had a “three-step plan” to deliver Brexit. 

Tory and Labours’ Brexit policies were dealt a hammer blow by voters in a terrible night for both parties in the European elections, while the Brexit Party and Liberal Democrats triumphed. 

The Tories secured just 9.1% of the vote – their worst ever national election share – while Labour finished on 14.1%, with voters split between the clear Brexit alternatives offered by Nigel Farage’s new party and the pro-EU Liberal Democrats.

Just four Conservatives were elected in England, Scotland and Wales, while the Brexit Party had 29 seats, overtaking the 24 MEPs that Mr Farage’s former party Ukip sent to the European Parliament in 2014.

The Lib Dems, reduced to just a single MEP in 2014, were on 16 after their best ever European results.

Labour had 10, halved from 20, the Greens – who also enjoyed a boost from pro-EU voters – were on seven, up from three in 2014.

Voter turnout in Great Britain was the second highest for an EU election, but still low at 36.7%.

Prime Minister Theresa May said it was a “very disappointing night” for the Conservatives.

“Some excellent MEPs have lost their seats, some excellent candidates missed out. But Labour has also suffered big losses.

“It shows the importance of finding a Brexit deal, and I sincerely hope these results focus minds in Parliament.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the result for the SNP, who won three seats, was “historic”, adding: “Scotland has spoken – we are not for Brexit.”

Results for Northern Ireland are expected on Monday evening.