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Tory leadership: Sajid Javid dismisses Boris Johnson as 'yesterday's news' as he launches campaign – live news | Tory leadership: Sajid Javid dismisses Boris Johnson as 'yesterday's news' as he launches campaign – live news |
(32 minutes later) | |
People who give presentations for a living will tell you it is always best to be the first person to make a sales pitch to the customers or the last, because these are the ones that people tend to remember. Sajid Javid was the last of the 10 Tory leadership contenders on the ballot tomorrow to hold his formal campaign launch and it was definitely one of the best - and probably the one that the most surpassed expectations. It may be too late, but this did feel like an event that might persuade a sceptical selectorate (in terms of declared MP supporters, Javid is struggling) to think again. | |
Javid’s personal story is well known and he spoken many times before about how he was brought up by immigrant parents who were poor but who were hard-working and loving. In the past, particularly when he first got a cabinet job, he was seen as a wooden speaker devoid of charisma. You would not say that about him today and this speech, in terms of emotional reach, was probably the best he’s ever given. More importantly, he managed to connect his own experience to the plight of the Conservative party and its need to sound less privileged and his argument - “we need to show the public we have changed, that we deserve a second look” - was a persuasive one. His policy offerings were routine and his Brexit prescription sounded even more fanciful than most of the others in this context. But in most elections it is easier being the change candidate than the status quo candidate, and Javid convincingly presented himself as the most changy person on the ticket. | |
Q: When did you decide that Theresa May had cut police numbers too far? | Q: When did you decide that Theresa May had cut police numbers too far? |
Javid says that even before he became home secretary, he was concerned the cuts had gone too far. | |
But he was bound by collective responsibility, he says. He says that was right. | But he was bound by collective responsibility, he says. He says that was right. |
But he is speaking out now because he is running for leader, and people need to know what he would and would not do, he says. | But he is speaking out now because he is running for leader, and people need to know what he would and would not do, he says. |
And that’s it. The press conference is over. | And that’s it. The press conference is over. |
Javid has now taken questions from all the journalists on the list he had of news organisations he was planning to call. He says he will take questions from others in the room. | |
Someone who is head of private wealth at a law firm asks what he would do to stop members of the armed forces being prosecuted for historical allegations. | Someone who is head of private wealth at a law firm asks what he would do to stop members of the armed forces being prosecuted for historical allegations. |
Javid says he is not happy with the current situation. He would ask his attorney general as a priority to stop these sorts of cases. | Javid says he is not happy with the current situation. He would ask his attorney general as a priority to stop these sorts of cases. |
Q: Are you worried your campaign has started too slowly? | Q: Are you worried your campaign has started too slowly? |
Javid says he is happy with the way it is going, although he is worried his dog Bailey (which features in Javid’s video) is becoming more popular than he is. | |
Q: Do the Tories have a problem with Islamophobia? | Q: Do the Tories have a problem with Islamophobia? |
Javid says he thinks there is a growing problem with Islamophobia in society at large. | Javid says he thinks there is a growing problem with Islamophobia in society at large. |
He does not think the Conservatives have a particular problem. But people should speak out if they hear something objectionable, he says. He says he would be happy for an organisation to come in and look at the party’s record. | He does not think the Conservatives have a particular problem. But people should speak out if they hear something objectionable, he says. He says he would be happy for an organisation to come in and look at the party’s record. |
Q: Why do you think you could get the EU to offer a Brexit deal? | Q: Why do you think you could get the EU to offer a Brexit deal? |
Javid says having a new team will make a difference. There have been reports that the EU will be more flexible. | Javid says having a new team will make a difference. There have been reports that the EU will be more flexible. |
He says he started in the City at the bottom. He ended up near the top. He spent his career doing deals, doing some of the biggest bond trades in the world. | He says he started in the City at the bottom. He ended up near the top. He spent his career doing deals, doing some of the biggest bond trades in the world. |
Q: Would you appoint someone who has taken class A drugs as home secretary? | Q: Would you appoint someone who has taken class A drugs as home secretary? |
Javid says that is a reference to his good friend Michael Gove. He says Gove is big enough himself to defend his record. | Javid says that is a reference to his good friend Michael Gove. He says Gove is big enough himself to defend his record. |
Q: Do you regret depriving Shamima Begum of her citizenship? | Q: Do you regret depriving Shamima Begum of her citizenship? |
Javid says he cannot comment on individual cases such as this. | |
But he says as home secretary, his priority is to keep the country safe. And he says, when he receives advice from security officials, people would expect him to take it. | |
Javid says he would not push to change abortion laws. | |
Q: What are the main differences between you and the favourite, Boris Johnson? | Q: What are the main differences between you and the favourite, Boris Johnson? |
Javid says he is a change candidate. | Javid says he is a change candidate. |
Boris Johnson is yesterday’s news. He’s been around in politics for a while. | Boris Johnson is yesterday’s news. He’s been around in politics for a while. |
Javid says his life experience is different. He can connect with 90% of the country. | Javid says his life experience is different. He can connect with 90% of the country. |
Javid starts by taking a question from Sky’s Beth Rigby. | Javid starts by taking a question from Sky’s Beth Rigby. |
And he says she does not need to worry about anyone booing her for doing her job. | And he says she does not need to worry about anyone booing her for doing her job. |
That is a reference to what MPs supporting Boris Johnson were doing at this morning’s event. Javid’s comment goes down very well with journalists. | |
Q: Are you worried the Tories are turning into the ‘nasty party’? | |
Javid says he is worried about politicians “around the world” promoting division. | Javid says he is worried about politicians “around the world” promoting division. |
(That seems to be a reference to Donald Trump.) | |
And he claims Jeremy Corbyn is already pursuing divisive politics. | |
He wants to bring people together, he says. | He wants to bring people together, he says. |
Q: Are you saying Boris Johnson is like Trump? | Q: Are you saying Boris Johnson is like Trump? |
Javid says of course we need vigorous debate. But he wants to bring people together. | Javid says of course we need vigorous debate. But he wants to bring people together. |