RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove have thrown their support behind MP Sajid Javid’s bid to become the next Prime Minister.
The Bromsgrove MP and Home Secretary revealed his plans to stand for leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party exclusively to the Standard on Monday.
He told us: “As my constituents, who I have been honoured to serve for almost a decade, it is fitting that you should be the first to know.
“My motivation is simple – it’s time to rebuild trust, restore unity and create new opportunities for our country.
“It is therefore critical that we bridge divides to heal our communities, renew our shared values and strengthen our society – as well as our economy – so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities a prosperous nation provides.”
Delighted with his announcement was Lyttleton Avenue resident Sue Field.
She said: “I don’t see Mr Javid in the town all that often but I have noticed through the paper that he gets involved with quite a few local projects.
“I think he would make an excellent Prime Minister and I wish him all the best in his campaign.”
Finstall resident Rosemary Pardoe said: “I’ve met Mr Javid many times at different events around Bromsgrove.
“Despite being Home Secretary he still manages to stay local and I think he would be an excellent choice for Prime Minister.
“He’s very level-headed and that’s what this country needs.”
Since his announcement earlier this week, Mr Javid has promised to get ‘20,000 more police officers’ on the street if he makes it to Number 10.
He said: “I want to see 20,000 more bobbies on the beat keeping our streets safe.
“Not sat behind desks, but pounding the pavements.
“It’s what the police want, it’s what the public wants, and it’s what I will deliver.”
He claims he has been trying to get more police on the streets in his role as Home Secretary for more than a year, but admits he has failed to do so.
“However as Prime Minister, I would put in the money to make sure this happens,” he said.
The Bromsgrove MP pledged to spend £1billion in the next three years to end the ‘culture of impunity’ enjoyed by criminals.
He also told the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, that he would never allow a second Scottish independence referendum.
He said: “People stated their views clearly in 2014, so there should be no second vote.
“Mrs Sturgeon should spend more time improving public services in Scotland and less time grandstanding.”
The current Home Secretary is one of 11 MPs hoping to replace current Prime Minster Theresa May.
Cabinet colleagues Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt and Matt Hancock are also vying for the position.
Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is currently the bookies’ favourite to be in Number 10 Downing Street by the end of July.
