LONDON, Dec 2 (Reuters) – Former British finance minister and Conservative Party leadership candidate Sajid Javid will not stand for re-election in the next national election, he said on Friday.
Javid is the most high-profile ruling party MP so far to say he will not stand for re-election, with a handful of other politicians saying they also plan to quit politics at the next election due in 2024.
Javid stood unsuccessfully to be leader of the Conservative Party in 2019, when he was kicked out midway through the leadership contest, and in 2022 when he withdrew before the first round of voting.
“After much thought I have decided that I will not stand again in the next general election,” he said on Twitter.
“Serving as Member of Parliament for Bromsgrove remains an incredible privilege, and I will continue to support the government and the causes I believe in.”
Javid served as health secretary under former prime minister Boris Johnson, before unexpectedly resigning in a move that prompted a wave of others to quit and then prompted Johnson himself to step down.
Javid also previously served as Home Secretary. He was not given a ministerial role when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak named his government after taking power in October.
Reacting to Javid’s decision to step down, Sunak said he was “sad to see my good friend retire from politics”.
“He has been a proud champion of enterprise and opportunity during his time in government and later on the banks,” Sunak said on Twitter.
Reporting by William James and Alistair Smout
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