The country is crying out for change - Sajid Javid can deliver that
3 min read
Conservative MP for Croydon South Chris Philp explains why he is backing Sajid Javid to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of Great Britain.
As a London MP, I look around and see members of the public who would never consider voting Conservative. Those who have been told that we have nothing to offer them, and believe it. Those who have turned off the party, and what we’re saying.
If we want to stand a chance of changing the minds of those people. Whether public sector workers, ethnic minorities, and those low income and disadvantaged backgrounds, we need to demonstrate that we are the party that offers change. That provides opportunities for everyone, irrespective of background. If we are going to win a general election, we need to reach beyond our core vote.
That is why I am supporting Sajid Javid to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of Great Britain.
It is his background, Government experience and personality that make me feel confident that he is what both our country and party need.
This is not just personal sentiment. This is fact. Polling shows that amongst the leadership hopefuls, it is Sajid who fares best, on his experience and competency, ability to handle Brexit and his likeability – something not to be understated.
And it is high time that our party had a proper debate about what it means to be a Conservative and what we have to offer. It has been heartening to see the enthusiasm and dynamism that the leadership contest has injected into the party. We have seen more serious, radical and frankly Conservative ideas and policies than we have in a long time. It shouldn’t take a leadership election for this to happen.
So, I am heartened to see that Sajid has pledged to bring the parliamentary party and the voluntary party closer together, to make party conference more tailored to members and giving the Conservative Policy Forum a stronger role in shaping policy.
But what we face right now, is a debate not only about where we want the party to go, but where we want to take the country. A country which is frustrated, and increasingly lacking confidence in its politicians of all political persuasions.
And can you blame them? As a party, we have failed to deliver Brexit. The public are frustrated as the lack of progress on issues such as tackling knife crime, sorting out social care, and building much needed houses. They also feel that opportunity is rapidly becoming unequal.
It is Sajid’s ambitious plans to boost skills through the national skills service to ensure our workforce can weather the challenges of tech-driven modern Britain, injecting £100bn into a national infrastructure fund, to close the gap between the regional divides, or getting another 20,000 police on the streets to ensure our societies – especially those like my constituency – feel safe, that will show that the Conservative Party has solutions to these important issues that will make a real difference to the lives of people – all people – around the country.
The country is crying out for change. Saj can deliver that for the party, beat Jeremy Corbyn, and deliver a positive vision for the country as we unite behind a message of opportunity for all.
Chris Philp is the Conservative MP for Croydon South
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