The new UK PM Boris Johnson has named Sajid Javid as the Chancellor of the Exchequer and declared that the country has “incredible opportunities” ahead. The Bromsgrove MP was appointed to Number 11, when the new Mr Johnson first started to form his Cabinet, to help him keep his promise to leave the EU by October 31. Mr Javid was Home Secretary under Theresa May and had stood against Mr Johnson and Jeremy Hunt in the Conservative leadership contest.
On Twitter, Mr Javid said: “Deeply honoured to be appointed as Chancellor by PM @BorisJohnson. Looking forward to be working with @hmtreasury to prepare for leaving the EU, uniting our country and prioritising for the incredible opportunities that lie ahead.”
Mr Javid is a former managing director at Deutsche Bank and was reportedly determined to becoming a Chancellor. He is the son of a bus driver whose father came to the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s with just £1 pound in his pocket.
After he was out of the Tory leadership contest, Mr Javid said: “Work hard and have faith in your abilities. Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t a big enough individual to aim high. To be ambitious, and to make your voice heard, you have as much right as anyone else to have a seat at the top.“
Meanwhile, Andrea Leadsom was appointed as the Business Secretary, having to hold the energy brief in the department. Previously, she failed the leadership bid against Mrs May in 2016. Earlier, Mr Johnson said that the country needed to be ready to take advantage of Brexit. He said: “With growing confidence, we will now accelerate the work of getting ready.”
By Tauseef Asif
