Sajid Javid

Sajid Javid
Born	Sajid Javid (1969-12-05) December 5, 1969 Rochdale, England, UK
Occupation(s)	Politician, former banker
Years active	1992–present
Known for	Secretary of State for Health and Social Care; Home Secretary; Chancellor of the Exchequer; MP for Bromsgrove

Sir Sajid Javid (; born 5 December 1969) is a former British politician who held the positions of Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (2021–2022), Home Secretary (2018–2019), and Chancellor of the Exchequer (2019–2020). Representing the Conservative Party, he served as the MP for Bromsgrove from 2010 until 2024.

Javid was born in Rochdale into a Pakistani family and grew up mainly in Bristol. He pursued studies in Economics and Politics at the University of Exeter, during which time he joined the Conservative Party. Before entering politics, he built a career in banking, ultimately becoming managing director at Deutsche Bank. After his election to Parliament in 2010, he was appointed Junior Treasury Minister within the coalition government, later advancing to David Cameron’s Cabinet as Culture Secretary. Following the 2015 general election, he was elevated to the role of Business Secretary.

During the 2016 EU referendum, Javid supported the unsuccessful Britain Stronger in Europe campaign. Under Prime Minister Theresa May, he served as Communities Secretary from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, after Amber Rudd resigned amid the Windrush controversy, Javid was appointed Home Secretary, becoming the first British Asian and Muslim to occupy one of the Great Offices of State. He put forward a bid for Conservative Party leadership in 2019 after May stepped down but finished fourth. Boris Johnson then named him Chancellor of the Exchequer; however, Javid resigned in February 2020 during a cabinet reshuffle after declining to dismiss his advisers, with Rishi Sunak replacing him.

Javid rejoined Cabinet as Health Secretary in June 2021 following Matt Hancock’s resignation. He played a significant role in steering the UK’s COVID-19 strategy, promoting the removal of most public health restrictions amid variant outbreaks and expanding vaccine distribution. On 5 July 2022, amid the political turmoil sparked by the Chris Pincher scandal, he resigned and was succeeded by Steve Barclay. Javid briefly entered the Conservative leadership race again in mid-2022 but withdrew before nominations closed, subsequently endorsing Liz Truss and later Rishi Sunak in leadership contests. He chose not to seek re-election in the 2024 general election and was honoured with a knighthood in the 2024 New Year Honours for his contributions to politics and public service. In September 2024, it was announced that he would become Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, with his tenure commencing in July 2025.

Early life

Sajid Javid was born on 5 December 1969 in Rochdale to Pakistani immigrant parents who arrived in the United Kingdom during the 1960s. His family originated from Punjabi Muslim farming roots in the village of Rajana located in central Punjab. His father worked as a bus driver while his mother spent ten years unable to speak English after moving to Britain. The family eventually relocated to Bristol where they operated a shop and lived above it. Javid is able to communicate in basic Punjabi. Although brought up within an Islamic cultural environment, he no longer practices religion but identifies as Muslim and was notably the first Muslim Home Secretary invited to an iftar event at the House of Commons.

As a youth, Javid developed an enthusiasm for financial markets during the period of Thatcher-era privatisations; at fourteen years old, he borrowed £500 to invest in stocks and regularly read the Financial Times. Between 1981 and 1986, he attended Downend School, a state comprehensive near Bristol. Despite being initially told that studying maths at O Level was not an option, he convinced his father to fund it. Javid has recounted experiencing racial harassment during school years, including from National Front skinheads. He described himself as "naughty" and more captivated by watching Grange Hill than focusing on homework.

Limited to taking two A Levels at school, Javid proceeded to study at Filton Technical College from 1986 to 1988 before completing a BA degree in economics and politics at the University of Exeter between 1988 and 1991.

Outside politics, Javid has acted as a trustee for the London Early Years Foundation and served as governor at Normand Croft Community School. He also led a charitable expedition climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for Help the Aged.

Early involvement in politics

During his university years, he became a member of the Conservative Party. At the age of 20 in 1990, Javid took part in the annual Conservative Party Conference, where he actively opposed the Thatcher administration's decision to enter the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM). It was at this event that he first encountered television presenter Jeremy Paxman while distributing leaflets against the policy; Paxman later conducted an interview with him at the same conference.

Between 1992 and 1996, Javid resided in New York City and earned the distinction of becoming the youngest vice-president at Chase Manhattan Bank. Concurrently, he contributed as an assistant to Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani during his victorious 1993 campaign for New York City mayor.

In 1998, Javid was chosen as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Brent North but subsequently withdrew from consideration. Additionally, he acted as an advisor to Conservative MP Gary Streeter, who was then serving as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development.

Career in banking

Javid’s professional journey in finance spanned 18 years, culminating in a board position at Deutsche Bank International. His career commenced at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, where he specialized in Latin American markets and Mexican government bonds prior to the Mexican peso crisis. By his mid-twenties, he had advanced to vice president. Upon relocating to London in 1997, he joined Deutsche Bank as a director by 2000, progressed to managing director in 2004, and assumed the role of global head of Emerging Markets Structuring in 2005. He also provided consultancy services to Lufthansa.

In 2007, Javid relocated to Singapore to oversee Deutsche Bank’s credit trading, equity convertibles, commodities, and private equity divisions across Asia, simultaneously becoming a member of Deutsche Bank International’s board. He departed from Deutsche Bank in 2009 to embark on a political career, having earned an estimated annual income of around £3 million at that time. The Evening Standard reported that this career shift represented a pay reduction close to 98%.

Throughout his tenure in banking, Javid maintained non-domicile status for six years, which exempted him from UK taxation on foreign income.

Parliamentary service

On 28 May 2009, the incumbent MP for Bromsgrove, Julie Kirkbride, announced her intention not to seek re-election following the fallout from the expenses scandal. Kirkbride had served since 1997 and reaffirmed her decision to step down in December 2009 after initially attempting to retract it.

Following a selection process conducted by the Bromsgrove Conservative Association on 6 February 2010—where Javid secured over 70% support from members—he was confirmed as the Conservative candidate for the forthcoming general election. His competitors included Ruth Davidson and Tina Stowell. On 6 May 2010, Javid won the parliamentary seat with a total of 22,558 votes and a majority margin of 11,308. Although this majority surpassed the previous election’s figure of 10,080, his vote count was lower than that of his predecessor (24,387), as was the Conservative vote share (43.7% compared to 51.0% in 2005). The constituency boundaries had been altered ahead of this election.

In the 2019 general election, Javid increased his vote tally to 34,408 votes, capturing 63.4% of ballots cast and expanding his majority over Labour to 23,106.

Political recognition

Former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw praised the 2010 cohort of MPs as "the best new MPs for over thirty years," identifying Javid among six Conservatives who had "already made an impact in the first term."<ref> Javid was featured by the Financial Times and was named Newcomer of 2010 by ConservativeHome.<ref> In October 2012, Iain Dale listed Javid in The Daily Telegraphs "Top 100 most influential figures from the Right," highlighting his swift ascent into George Osborne's inner circle as a sign of both ambition and capability.<ref> The Guardians Nicholas Watt also foresaw Javid’s potential for future leadership.<ref>

On the 2014 right-wing power list published by The Times, Javid rose to No. 8, acknowledged as the senior figure among the 2010 intake and a prospective leader spearheading generational change within the Conservative Party.<ref> The 2014 GG2 Power List named him the most influential British Asian,<ref> with then-Prime Minister David Cameron commending Javid at the GG2 Leadership Awards as "the brilliant Asian man who I asked to join the Cabinet" and expressing aspirations for a British Asian Prime Minister.<ref> In July 2014, Forbes likened Javid to Barack Obama, suggesting he had the potential to become the UK's next Prime Minister.<ref>

Javid earned the Politician of the Year accolade at the British Muslim Awards in January 2015,<ref> and in November 2017 received the Patchwork Foundation's MP of the Year Award.<ref>

By mid-2018, polls among Tory activists on ConservativeHome indicated Javid as a favored contender for party leadership—a reliable yet fluctuating gauge of grassroots sentiment.<ref> A July 2018 YouGov poll of Conservative members similarly showed strong endorsement for his leadership capabilities, with 64% considering him "up to the job" and 69% rating him as "competent."<ref>

Campaign against anti-Semitism

Jewish organisations such as the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council welcomed Javid’s appointment as Home Secretary.

During his tenure as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Javid advocated for local authorities to adopt the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism. In 2015, while Business Secretary speaking at the Holocaust Educational Trust's annual dinner, he condemned "dinner party anti-Semites," recounting how numerous Jewish colleagues had faced uncomfortable remarks involving conspiracy theories about kosher food.

In 2018, Javid called for Jeremy Corbyn’s resignation as Labour leader after Corbyn attended a 2014 wreath-laying ceremony at a cemetery containing graves of Palestinian activists associated with the Black September Organization.

Criticism

In March 2018, Javid described Momentum as "neo-fascist" during a session in the House of Commons. Momentum threatened legal action if he repeated this outside Parliament, where parliamentary privilege does not apply. MPs including Jon Trickett, Chris Williamson, Alex Sobel, Clive Lewis, and Caroline Lucas demanded he retract and apologise.

In July 2018, following threats of legal action from Jeremy Corbyn over Javid’s comments linking Corbyn to Holocaust denial, Javid retracted his statement. Labour MPs accused him of spreading falsehoods and urged intervention from then-Prime Minister Theresa May.

Javid declined a call by the Muslim Council of Britain for an independent investigation into allegations of Islamophobia within the Conservative Party. He asserted: "The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) does not represent Muslims in this country" and added "we don't deal with the MCB." Harun Khan, secretary-general of MCB, interpreted this response as indicative of a lack of seriousness on the party’s part.

Javid attracted criticism for tweeting about "Asian paedophiles," with Runnymede Trust’s director stating that racialising such crimes does little to address victim vulnerability. The Independent suggested his remarks were politically motivated amid an impending leadership contest, arguing that his ethnic and religious background did not justify provocative racial rhetoric. Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, defended Javid’s approach, advocating that mainstream politicians should calmly address challenging issues to counter populist narratives.

Baroness Warsi accused Javid of dog-whistle politics, suggesting that despite his attempts to appeal to right-wing party members, they still perceived him as "far too Muslim" to be party leader.

In August 2019, John McDonnell questioned Javid's suitability as Chancellor due to his background in selling collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and alleged connections to tax avoidance schemes. Javid held senior investment banking roles including responsibility for CDO sales at Deutsche Bank, which ran a tax avoidance scheme dubbed "dark blue" that routed bankers’ bonuses through the Cayman Islands.

Conservative leadership elections

Joint leadership bid, 2016

Following David Cameron's resignation after the EU referendum, in June 2016 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Stephen Crabb announced his candidacy in the 2016 Conservative Party leadership election, proposing a joint ticket with Sajid Javid. Under this arrangement, if Crabb became Prime Minister, Javid would serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Crabb withdrew after losing in the first round among Conservative MPs and resigned from Cabinet amid allegations involving inappropriate messages to a young woman.

In a later Financial Times interview, Javid disclosed expecting dismissal when Theresa May assumed premiership in July 2016 but was instead appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Crabb later served as Parliamentary Chairman of "Conservative Friends of Israel."

Conservative leadership bid, 2019

In May 2019, Javid launched a campaign for Conservative leader, committing to delivering Brexit and fostering unity through shared British values. He placed fourth overall. His campaign was advised by Matthew Elliott, former Vote Leave chief executive, supported by donors from both Remain- and Leave-supporting factions within the party.

Javid signalled willingness to pursue a no-deal Brexit and advocated enhanced preparations for such an outcome. He ruled out another referendum on Brexit, an early general election, or revoking Article 50. To resolve deadlock over Northern Ireland's backstop arrangement, he proposed investment in advanced border technology. During a Channel 4 leadership debate, he opposed proroguing Parliament to facilitate Brexit on democratic grounds; however, a tweet quoting this opposition was deleted following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s controversial prorogation decision. Subsequently, Javid defended prorogation during a BBC Radio 4 interview. The Supreme Court later ruled prorogation unlawful in September 2019.

He also proposed abolishing the 45p income tax rate to stimulate economic growth, citing increased revenues following its reduction from 50p during his Treasury tenure.

Javid was eliminated in the fourth round after receiving fewer votes than rival candidates.

Conservative leadership bid, 2022

On 10 July 2022, Javid declared his candidacy to succeed Johnson in the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election, but withdrew before voting commenced.

Early Parliamentary years (2010–2013)

Javid briefly served on the Work and Pensions Select Committee between June and November 2010 before becoming Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to John Hayes at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. He was among early MPs from the 2010 intake appointed PPS.

On 14 October 2011, following Liam Fox's resignation as Defence Secretary, Javid advanced to PPS for then-Chancellor George Osborne.

Treasury ministerial roles

In September 2012, Javid joined Osborne’s ministerial team as Economic Secretary to the Treasury. On 7 October 2013 he was promoted to Financial Secretary to the Treasury, succeeding Greg Clark.

As Economic Secretary, he managed government plans concerning state-owned entities like Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Lloyds Banking Group. He proposed eliminating rebate taxes on foreign investors to enhance UK asset management competitiveness.

In 2013, Javid played an instrumental role in abolishing the beer duty escalator and implementing its first cut in over fifty years. A commemorative beer named "Sajid's Choice" was brewed in his honour; it was served at Parliament’s Strangers' Bar and sold locally in Bromsgrove.

Culture Secretary

On 9 April 2014, following Maria Miller’s resignation over expenses issues, Prime Minister David Cameron appointed Javid as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister for Equalities. He became both the first MP elected in 2010 to join Cabinet and first British Pakistani MP leading a government department. Shortly thereafter he was sworn into the Privy Council.

In his debut appearance as Culture Secretary on BBC's Question Time, Javid defended press freedom—emphasizing media's crucial democratic role and their right to scrutinize politicians and officials. In May 2015 it emerged he opposed then-Home Secretary Theresa May's proposal granting Ofcom powers to vet TV programmes under counter-extremism measures due to concerns over free expression.

His speech on diversity and free expression at the Union of Jewish Students Annual Conference received praise from The Spectator as "one of government’s finest ministerial speeches."

In 2015 at a Board of Deputies event, Javid warned publicly funded cultural bodies boycotting Israel risked losing government funding. Citing Tricycle Theatre’s boycott of UK Jewish Film Festival as an example, he stated funding could be withdrawn if such actions persisted—prompting debate about political interference versus freedom of expression; playwright Caryl Churchill questioned limits on criticism regarding Israel.

Business Secretary

After winning re-election in 2015 general election, Javid was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills under Cameron’s second ministry. He was characterized as “the most robust right-winger” within Cabinet—a self-described Thatcherite.

As Business Secretary he announced plans for substantial reforms to strike laws requiring strikes affecting essential public services gain support from at least 40% union membership.

Though identifying as Eurosceptic opposing “ever-closer union,” Javid supported UK remaining in EU citing benefits from European single market—a major achievement even Lady Thatcher endorsed.

February 2017 court documents revealed he overruled senior civil servants’ advice recommending suspension of export licenses for arms sales to Saudi Arabia amid Yemen war crime concerns. Edward Bell head of Export Control Organisation urged suspension but Javid deferred final decision to Prime Minister.

Under his oversight creation of pubs code and Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA), mandated by Small Business Act (2015), experienced delays—code published July 2016 instead March deadline—delaying tenants’ statutory rights access and postponing code review from planned date in 2018 until 2019.

Communities Secretary

In July 2016 Theresa May appointed Javid Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.<ref> His priorities included boosting housing supply with emphasis on affordable council housing.<ref> Despite earlier describing council homes as “poor housing for poor people,” he secured funding for new local council housebuilding in Budget 2017.<ref>

In 2017 he threatened cancellation of Europe’s largest Palestine convention—Palestine Expo—citing concerns over organisers’ alleged Hamas praise; event venue QEII Centre was under his department control.<ref> However opposition led event to proceed.<ref>

That year courts ruled unlawfully restricting councils from pursuing Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) against Israel via pension schemes—decision hailed as victory for local democracy.<ref>

Javid initiated wide-ranging leasehold reforms targeting rogue managing agents and excessive service charges affecting leaseholders across England & Wales—received positive industry feedback including Leasehold Knowledge Partnership.<ref> In September 2017 he supported Commonwealth innovation scholarships awarded to Joshua Cheong & Dr Khoo Hsien Hui.<ref>

Following December consultation measures aimed at ending exploitative leasehold practices included banning future leasehold houses & setting ground rents on new flats at zero.<ref> By April 2018 regulations empowered leaseholders against unfair charges & required standards across managing & letting agents sectors.<ref>

Home Secretary

Appointed Home Secretary on 30 April 2018 after Amber Rudd resigned due to misleading Parliament over illegal immigrant removal targets amid Windrush scandal. He committed addressing Windrush injustices launching consultation process.

Javid became first individual with Asian heritage appointed one of UK’s Great Offices of State. Early tenure marked by distinct approach from Theresa May including engagement with Police Federation; commissioning review on medicinal cannabis oil; increasing tier two skilled worker visas; praised by Lord Tebbit who noted firm control over challenging department.

Immigration

June 2018 saw lifting cap on immigration numbers for NHS doctors & nurses; proposed adjustments easing aspects of Home Office hostile environment policy toward immigration.

He opposed preferential treatment solely favoring EU citizens post-Brexit stating: “No magical reason it should be only from EU…Global Britain means from across world.” This contrasted Chancellor Philip Hammond’s position. Proposed EU citizens residing five years qualify for new settled status post-Brexit.

Notably intervened allowing child chess prodigy Shreyas Royal remain under exceptional talent immigration rules—a rare case considering child talent factors.

Led Cabinet efforts reducing low-skilled migration post-Brexit overcoming opposition from Hammond & Business Secretary Greg Clark—a significant policy win alongside PM May after internal clashes.

Asylum and re-migration

January 2019 proposals included denying asylum claims from those crossing English Channel citing doubts about legitimacy; faced criticism from Refugee Council & Amnesty International over international law concerns.

February statements barred return for British citizens joining ISIS contradicting Justice Secretary David Gauke’s views. On February 19 revoked citizenship of Shamima Begum who left UK aged sixteen joining ISIS citing Bangladeshi heritage though Bangladesh & Begum disputed citizenship status; government previously failed similar case involving Britons with Bangladeshi roots.

Public opinion strongly supported decision with Sky News poll showing seventy-eight percent approval; Bethnal Green community more divided questioning threat level & reintegration possibility; Church bishops & Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott opposed citing human rights concerns; Amnesty International called revocation “morally & legally questionable.”

March reports revealed death of Begum’s newborn son; family & Democratic Federation Northern Syria notified public; human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith blamed government policy; Diane Abbott condemned move calling it callous breaching international statelessness law.

Police and crime

During first Police Federation speech in 2018 pledged better police protection funding next Home Office spending review; supported stop-and-search powers.

July announcement confirmed UK government would not oppose US death penalty requests for two suspected British ISIL members waiving prior objections against foreign executions.

Responding child sexual exploitation scandal ordered research into disproportionate convictions among men mostly Pakistani origin calling “honest open debate” on racial motivations; praised by Trevor Phillips & Camilla Cavendish noting heritage gave credibility confronting groomers.

Committed using counter-terrorism laws stripping dual nationals involved in serious crimes including grooming gangs citizenship; December saw one man stripped citizenship after lying about abuse history applying UK citizenship.

Initiated investigation into Home Office handling forced marriage cases after reports abusers obtained visas pledging increased efforts combating forced marriages supporting victims.

Rejected calls by over one hundred fifty MPs establishing exclusion zones around abortion centres deeming measure disproportionate response.

Concerned about rising online child abuse spoke at NSPCC headquarters September announcing £21.5 million funding investigating online offenders across digital platforms plus £26 million prevention funding supporting multiple organizations.

Drug policy

Utilized exceptional Home Secretary powers urgently licensing medical cannabis oil treating child epilepsy case established panel reviewing cannabis oil applications initiated medicinal cannabis review process.

Following advice Chief Medical Officer & Advisory Council Misuse Drugs announced NHS prescription availability medicinal cannabis emphasizing move not legalization recreational use writing editorial The Times stressing distinction.

Security

February order adding Hezbollah political wing proscribed terror group list within Parliament jurisdiction.

Keynote speaker Conservative Friends Israel Conference highlighted strengthening UK-Israel security partnership importance in 2018.

Announced increased funding protecting synagogues schools Jewish centres raising total Jewish Community Protective Security Grant allocation £65.2 million since inception in 2015.

After Christchurch mosque shootings warned social media companies facing legal consequences failing extremist content removal announced forthcoming online harms white paper planning regulation social media platforms imposing censorship rules.

Condemned Prevent anti-terror scheme critics accusing them siding with extremists undermining counter-terrorism efforts.

Equality

Committed tackling anti-LGBT hate crimes establishing LGBT Advisory Panel implementing government action plan apologizing historical Home Office homophobia acknowledging wrongful past actions against gay men.

Launched comprehensive Law Commission review hate crime laws exploring new protected characteristics such as misogyny age alongside existing race religion sexual orientation disability protections; charities estimate one million older people annually suffer abuse though prosecutions rare sentences lenient.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed Chancellor on July 24th, 2019 within Boris Johnson’s cabinet pledging Treasury preparation Brexit readiness including “significant extra funding” ensuring exit with or without deal readiness approach overhaul announced first media statement.

September supported Johnson’s parliamentary suspension confirmed no Article-50 extension UK exit scheduled October-31st same year.

January-26th unveiled commemorative Brexit day fifty pence coin inscribed ‘Peace prosperity friendship with all nations.’ Helped raise £70k+ auctioning co-signed Brexit coin benefiting Jewish Care business breakfast.

Played pivotal role appointing Andrew Bailey Bank England Governor overruling Dominic Cummings lobbying Andy Haldane succession Mark Carney.

Resignation

Tensions peaked August-19 when Dominic Cummings dismissed Chancellor aide Sonia Khan without informing or consulting Javid reportedly involving armed officer escorting Khan off premises causing anger expressed directly PM Johnson ethics watchdog probe considered.

Despite rift speculation Johnson assured November-19 retention Chancellor post-December general election.

Preceding cabinet reshuffle press indicated new economic ministry creation led Rishi Sunak aiming reduce Treasury influence Sunak loyal PM rising political star.

February reports suggested retention Chancellor role Sunak Chief Secretary Treasury remaining “watchful.”

February-13th reshuffle saw unexpected resignation after Johnson demanded dismissal all Treasury advisers replacing them with Number Ten appointees which Javid refused stating no self-respecting minister would accept such terms.

Financial Times commentator Robert Shrimsley warned risks government stability emphasizing need senior ministers like Chancellor able challenge poor ideas.

Javid became first Chancellor since fifty years not delivering budget tenure lasting just two hundred four days second-shortest since WWII.

Return to backbenches

Post-resignation returned backbench MP expressing continued political contribution potential during first speech after Prime Minister Questions.

June-20 partnered Centre Social Justice leading inquiry child sexual abuse UK highlighting COVID lockdown surge concerns.

Served senior fellow Harvard Kennedy School Mossavar-Rahmani Center Business Government between twenty-twenty twenty-one.

August-20 accepted paid advisory role JPMorgan Chase EMEA advisory council drawing criticism Labour MP Zarah Sultana arguing MPs holding corporate second jobs undermine democracy calling bans.

Health Secretary

Succeeded Matt Hancock June-26th twenty-twenty-one during COVID pandemic following Hancock resignation.

Assumed office amid Delta variant third wave prioritizing ending public health restrictions advocating acceptance COVID existence akin flu approach aligning Tory MPs facing scientific criticism anticipating up one hundred thousand daily cases promoting relaxation social distancing isolation asserting “no going back.”

July-17th tested positive COVID recovered eight days later faced backlash urging public “live with not cower virus” subsequently apologizing deleting remark.

September announced vaccination plan healthy twelve-fifteen-year-olds despite JCVI recommendation omission mandated COVID vaccines NHS care home staff raising staffing shortage concerns.

October rejected reinstating broad public health measures mask mandates remote working warning winter cases hospitalizations deaths rising urging unvaccinated vaccination protecting NHS projecting daily cases possibly reaching one hundred thousand.

Resignation

On July-5th twenty-twenty-two resigned Health Secretary amid controversy surrounding sexual assault allegations against former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher criticizing Conservative handling initially giving PM benefit doubt resigning following Parliament prayer breakfast focused integrity public life letter cited Johnson leadership tone values public perception party incompetent acting against national interest.

July-6th delivered personal statement Commons urging colleagues follow lead resign emphasizing loyalty must be mutual expressing frustration recent events.

Following resignations including Sunak numerous junior ministers Parliamentary Private Secretaries resigned citing honesty integrity concerns largest ministerial wave since nineteen thirty-two record thirty-six resignations within twenty-four hours total sixty-two resignations prompted Johnson announcement July-7 intention resign Conservative leader prime minister remaining until successor chosen.

Return to backbenches

Supported Liz Truss during July–September twenty-twenty-two Conservative leadership election then backed Rishi Sunak October twenty-twenty-two leadership contest.

December twenty-twenty-two announced decision not stand re-election twenty-twenty-four general election.

Political positions

Brexit

During twenty-sixteen EU referendum supported Remain campaign under Britain Stronger Europe banner despite earlier Euroscepticism including opposing Britain joining Exchange Rate Mechanism nineteen-ninety though support remained lukewarm.

By July twenty-twenty-two shifted position endorsing Leave reportedly influenced by figures like George Osborne deeming Leave stance necessary for Conservative Business Secretaries acceptability.

Consistently stressed respect referendum outcome criticizing courts requiring Parliament approval triggering Brexit accusing judges obstructing public will opposed soft Brexit options customs union membership affirming clear voter instruction leave EU free trade integral part EU relationship.

Twenty-nineteen praised Nigel Farage distancing Brexit Party from extremism seeking outreach Brexit supporters while Chancellor proposed minting millions fifty pence Brexit coins symbolizing Treasury support contrasting predecessor Philip Hammond.

January twenty-twenty declared no alignment single market customs union post-Brexit emphasizing economic independence completion end year timeline.

Israel and Palestine

Longstanding supporter Conservative Friends Israel among strongest pro-Israel Cabinet advocates stating Israel sole Middle Eastern country where children enjoy true freedom liberty during two-thousand-twelve CFI event.

Addressing World Jewish Congress twenty-seventeen declared efforts isolating Israel failing government proud celebrating Balfour centenary WJC president Ronald Lauder praised staunch friend Jewish community.

Promised fight isolators undermining Israel during joint American Jewish Committee Board Deputies meeting while serving government official capacity.

At twenty-eighteen Conservative Friends Israel conference credited brother’s school trip Israel forty years prior inspiring lifelong support noted honeymoon visit Israel with wife.

Visit Western Wall

Twenty-nineteen became first British minister nineteen years visiting Western Wall Jerusalem Old City despite Palestinian opposition viewing visits legitimizing Israeli East Jerusalem claims Palestinians seek capital future state official advice discouraged visit citing longstanding policy yet proceeded stating response officials “You know what? I told them ‘get stuffed’ went anyway” at January twenty-twenty CFI event.

Campaign against BDS

Consistently opposed Boycott Divestment Sanctions movement targeting Israel pledging resistance calls boycotts at Union Jewish Students conference twenty-fourteen expressing zero tolerance cultural boycotts while Culture Secretary twenty-fifteen.

As Communities Secretary twenty-sixteen introduced measures preventing councils imposing boycotts Israel issuing investment guidance affecting Local Government Pension Scheme highlighting parliamentary record opposing BDS lobbying daily business sector promoting trade growth with Israel.

Affiliations

Between two-thousand-thirteen two-thousand-sixteen paid subscriptions pro-Brexit European Research Group claiming £2000 annually under office costs professional services ceased claims post two-thousand-sixteen financial year.

Political influences

Thatcherism

Political outlook shaped by father’s admiration Margaret Thatcher credited resolving Winter Discontent decisively highlighted Falklands Conflict decisive leadership pivotal political awakening meeting Thatcher late twenties where she reportedly told him: “Sajid you will protect our great island.”

Upon appointment Financial Secretary Treasury replaced office art collection portraits Thatcher described by commentator Tim Montgomerie as “first Thatcher child.”

The Fountainhead

In twenty-eighteen activist Tim Montgomerie observed identification libertarian writer Ayn Rand inspiration regularly reread courtroom scene novel The Fountainhead admiring portrayal individual power standing beliefs despite opposition introducing film adaptation event describing profound impact aged twelve wife once threatened divorce if continued reading aloud novel passages.

Twenty-nineteen clarified not subscribing Rand Objectivism emphasizing altruism related protagonist Howard Roark underdog persevering despite adversity.

Neoconservatism

Regular attendee speaker annual conference US neoconservative thinktank American Enterprise Institute whose members include Dick Cheney Paul Wolfowitz John Bolton chose attending AEI conference over Welsh MPs Tata Steel crisis meeting while Business Secretary consistently supported foreign military interventions voting Libya Iraq Syria actions.

March twenty-fourteen accused then-Labour leader Ed Miliband contributing Crimea crisis opposing Syria military intervention linking stance Russian Ukraine activity.

Twenty-eighteen Commons register declared AEI funded £9,266 trip conference Georgia.

Personal life

Family

Raised Bristol two-bedroom flat above shop alongside four brothers brother Bas served Commander Solihull Police division later Scotland Yard overseeing front-line policing previously served Royal Navy including Gulf War earning commendations teamwork bravery.

Married childhood sweetheart Laura King nineteen ninety-seven met summer job Commercial Union branch four children privately educated reflecting desire doing best family owns properties Fulham Chelsea Bristol Bromsgrove Cavapoo dog Bailey featured prominently nineteen-nineteen Conservative leadership campaign video.

Eldest brother Tariq died July eighteen intentional overdose codeine alcohol South Lodge Hotel near Horsham successful businessman managing supermarket chain.

Other siblings Khalid financial advisor Basit civil servant Atif multi-millionaire property tycoon briefly director Atif investment company SA Capital before parliamentary career.

Honours

Appointed Knight Bachelor in 2024 New Year Honours recognizing political public service contributions.

Religion

Received religious hate mail including "Punish a Muslim Day" parcel becoming fifth British MP facing such abuse by March eighteen though family heritage Muslim is non-practising wife practising Christian during Bromsgrove campaign stated upbringing believing God personally non-practising wife Christian household religion.

Described claims terror unrelated Islam lazy wrong condemning attacks carried Islam name acknowledging perpetrators identify Muslim emphasized unique Muslim community responsibility addressing terrorism writing editorial The Times.

Criticised some Muslim community members questioning faith labelling derogatory terms such as "Coconut" "Uncle Tom."

March nineteen supporter Tommy Robinson Wayne Kirby jailed twenty-eight days posting threatening Facebook comments calling him “Muslim terrorist” threatening violence.

Revealed early career rejected candidacy Conservative Association due religion chairman noting member doubts electability Muslim MP locally.

External links

• Sajid Javid becomes fifth MP to receive 'Punish a Muslim' package
• Profile of Sajid Javid MP Conservative Party website
• Bromsgrove Conservative Association
• Official YouTube channel
• 2022 Resignation Address
• Debrett's People of Today profile