Sajid Javid announces he will stand down as MP

Former health secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid has announced he will not stand again as an MP at the next general election but pledged to continue to support the Prime Minister "in any way I can".

He said his decision had been "accelerated" by the fact MPs have been asked to confirm their intentions for contending the next nationwide poll at an "early stage".

He becomes the latest in a steady stream of Tory MPs to say they will step back at the next election, which will be no later than January 2025, as the party struggles to recover from a slump in the polls.

Senior Conservatives including Chloe Smith and William Wragg have also announced they will not be running again.

Mr Javid, who also previously served in the prominent Cabinet roles of chancellor and home secretary, said he had "wrestled" with the choice for "some time", and was "very proud" of his work in Parliament and government.

He said the decision would not mark the end of his Parliamentary activity, particularly for those causes he cares about "deeply", nor will it impact his current duties as an MP.

He will continue to support his "friend" Mr Sunak in any way possible, he added.

In a letter to the Bromsgrove Conservative Association, he wrote: "Being the local MP and serving in government has been the privilege of my life and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve.

"I always sought to make decisions in the national interest and in line with my values, and I can only hope my best was sufficient.

"I will of course continue to support my friend the Prime Minister and the people of Bromsgrove in any way I can."

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