The former chancellor, who has held a number of senior government roles alongside his Bromsgrove seat, is the most high-profile Tory MP to stand down at the next national vote, due in 2024. It comes amid reports that the Conservative Party has told its MPs to decide on their future by Monday, with some younger members already confirming their departure. He also made the announcement on the day Labor secured a historic majority in the Chester city by-election, with stark warnings that such a change at national level could spell big trouble for the Tories next time the country goes to the polls. . Politics Live: Sunak ‘on borrowed time’ after Tory vote collapses in by-election In a letter to his party chairman posted on Twitter, Mr Javid said it was “a decision I have been struggling with for some time”, but one that had been “rushed” because of the party deadline. “Being a local MP and serving in government has been the privilege of my life and I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve,” he said. “I have always tried to make decisions in the national interest and in accordance with my values, and I can only hope that my best was enough.” He pledged that the decision would not affect his work as an MP during his term, adding: “Of course I will continue to support my friend the Prime Minister and the people of Bromsgrove in any way I can.” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “sad to see my good friend… retire from politics”, writing on Twitter: “He was a proud champion of entrepreneurship and opportunity during his time in government and back – particularly for the people of Bromsgrove.’ Ending with a quote from Star Wars, the prime minister added: “May the Force be with you, Saj.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:27 After resigning from the government over Boris Johnson’s behavior earlier this year, he made an elegant speech in the Commons Mr Javid first came to parliament in 2010 at the start of the coalition government and took his first frontbench job in 2012 as financial secretary to the Treasury. For the past 12 years he has held some of the highest offices of the state, including the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Finance. Javid stepped down from 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 those chosen by Downing Street. He returned to Mr Johnson’s top team as health secretary in June 2021 after Matt Hancock resigned after he was caught on CCTV kissing one of his aides and breaching his own COVID guidelines. But he was the first minister to quit in the wave of departures that led to Mr Johnson’s downfall in the summer, followed minutes later by the then chancellor and now prime minister Rishi Sunak. Javid ran twice for the leadership of his party, but lost to Johnson and his successor, Liz Truss.
