Sajid Javid backs Liz Truss in Tory race

Former health secretary Sajid Javid has announced his support for Liz Truss as the UK’s next Conservative PM.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. Picture: Getty Images

Former health secretary Sajid Javid has announced his support for Liz Truss as the UK’s next Conservative prime minister, adding to the roster of senior Tories backing the Foreign Secretary’s leadership bid.

Mr Javid resigned from Boris Johnson’s cabinet in early July at the same time as Ms Truss’s rival, Rishi Sunak, quit as chancellor of the exchequer, leading to a wave of resignations.

He said in an article published in The Times on Wednesday night that the new prime minister would need to swiftly reunite the party and show “we are rising to the challenges of our times”.

“After careful consideration it is clear to me that Liz Truss is best placed to pass these tests,” he wrote. He said that Ms Truss had “sharp focus and willingness to challenge the status quo”.

Challenging Mr Sunak’s approach to the economy, Mr Javid said “the circumstances we are now in require a new approach” and “not cutting taxes carries an even greater risk”.

Ms Truss is backed by the bookmakers to win and has secured heavyweight endorsement from Tories including some who, like Mr Javid, earlier threw their hats into the ring.

Her backers include international trade minister Penny Mordaunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis and Tory centrist Tom Tugendhat.

The result of the ballot of grassroots Tory members, to decide who will Mr Johnson, is due on September 5.

AFP