The former chancellor and prominent Conservative states that he “struggled” with the issue for “some time.”
Sajid Javid has declared that he will not run in the upcoming general election, stating that serving as an MP has been “the greatest honor of [his] life.”
The former chancellor, who has held several key government positions in addition to his Bromsgrove seat, is the most prominent Conservative MP projected to leave down at the next national election in 2024.
It follows allegations that the Conservative Party has instructed its MPs to decide their futures by Monday, with several younger members having already confirmed their departures.
In addition, he made the statement on the same day that Labour won a historic majority in the City of Chester by-election, accompanied by dire predictions that such a nationwide swing may pose the Conservatives significant issues at the next national election.
In a letter to his party chairman that was uploaded on Twitter, Mr. Javid stated that it was “a decision I’ve struggled with for some time” but that it was “hastened” due to the party deadline.
“Being the local representative and serving in government has been the greatest honor of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the chance to do it,” he said.
“I always tried to make decisions that were in the national interest and consistent with my values, and I can only hope that my efforts were sufficient.”
He added, “I will of course continue to support my friend the prime minister, and the people of Bromsgrove in every manner I can during my remaining time in office.”
“Proud advocate of enterprise and possibility”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted that he was “sorry to see my good friend… move away from politics” and that he had been “a proud champion of enterprise and opportunity during his tenure in administration and on the backbenches – especially for the people of Bromsgrove.”
The Prime Minister concluded with a Star Wars quote: “May the Force be with you, Saj.”
Mr. Javid entered parliament for the first time in 2010 at the beginning of the coalition administration and was appointed economic secretary to the Treasury in 2012.
During the previous twelve years, he has occupied some of the state’s highest positions, including home secretary and chancellor.
Mr. Javid resigned from the latter position in 2020, less than three months after assuming it, when the then-prime minister Boris Johnson and his senior adviser Dominic Cummings demanded that he fire his staff and replace them with those selected by Downing Street.
In June 2021, he rejoined Mr. Johnson’s top team as health secretary following Matt Hancock’s resignation as a result of being caught on CCTV kissing one of his aides and violating his COVID guidelines.
However, he was the first minister to resign in the summer wave of resignations that led to Mr. Johnson’s demise, followed by the then-chancellor and current prime minister, Mr. Sunak.
Mr. Javid ran twice for the leadership of his party but lost both times to Mr. Johnson and his successor, Ms.
