James Forsyth James Forsyth

Sajid Javid is the new Culture Secretary

Sajid Javid is the new Culture Secretary. Javid has impressed as a junior minister at the Treasury. He has learnt the political ropes fast despite only becoming an MP in 2010 and having done very little in politics before that.

Javid’s appointment will please modernisers and the right alike. The right will be pleased that this Eurosceptic, Thatcherite has made Cabinet. Modernisers will be pleased that the Tories have their first Muslim male Cabinet Minister.

Javid comes with a back-story that is all too rare in British politics. He is the son of a bus driver and was the first person in his family to go to university. His father, an immigrant from Pakistan, was nicknamed ‘Mr Night and Day’ because he worked so many jobs to make end meet. From university, Javid went into the City where he excelled, becoming a vice-president at Chase Manhattan at the age of 25.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in