Sajid Javid’s resignation speech in full

Mr Speaker, I’m grateful for your permission to make this statement.

Yesterday we began our day together. You, I, my Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister, and colleagues from across this House, broke bread together at the parliamentary prayer breakfast and listened to the words of Reverend Les Issac, who spoke about the responsibility that comes with leadership – the responsibility to serve the interests of others above your own and to seek the common good of your party, your community and above all your country.

Colleagues will be forgiven for sharing my sense of deja vu. Despite what it may seem, I have never been one of life’s quitters. I didn’t quit when I was told that boys like me didn’t do maths. I didn’t quit when old-school bankers said I didn’t have the right school ties. I didn’t quit when people in my community told me I couldn’t marry the love of my life.