Sajid Javid says backing Liz Truss to lead Tories was his ‘biggest political mistake’
Sajid Javid called his support for Liz Truss his biggest political mistake and dismissed Tory defectors to Reform.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
At Hay festival, Sajid Javid said backing Liz Truss in the 2022 Tory leadership race was his biggest mistake in politics. He also criticised Conservative MPs joining Reform, argued the political class has declined, and backed higher pay for MPs.
Sajid Javid used to be a top Conservative politician. He said helping Liz Truss become party leader was the worst choice he made in politics, because her time as prime minister went badly.
He also said he does not care much for Conservative MPs who left for Reform. He thinks the people in politics are not as good as they used to be, and that voters help decide that.
Javid thinks politicians should be paid more so better people want the job. He wants fewer MPs, but higher pay for the ones who stay, like a club with fewer seats but better players.
Analysis
What Javid said
Speaking at the Hay festival while promoting his memoir, Sajid Javid said supporting Liz Truss in the Conservative leadership contest that led to her becoming prime minister was his “biggest mistake in politics.” He said he no longer speaks to Truss, joking in response to a question that he had said “friends” rather than her.
Javid had first run for the leadership after Boris Johnson resigned in 2022, then backed Truss after he was eliminated. Truss’s time in Downing Street lasted 49 days and ended after the turmoil caused by her government’s mini-budget.
His broader comments
Javid also dismissed Tory MPs who have defected to Reform, saying “good riddance.” He argued that the quality of Britain’s political class has worsened and said voters share responsibility, because politicians reflect what people choose at the ballot box.
He went further by arguing MPs are underpaid for the kind of experience needed in public life. In his view, the UK should cut the number of MPs in half and double their salaries, so Parliament can attract people from senior jobs such as teaching, accounting, or medicine.
The interview also highlighted Javid’s post-Parliament life. He stood down as an MP before the 2024 election and now works in investment, while also serving as chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
Key points
- Javid said backing Liz Truss in the 2022 Tory leadership race was his biggest political mistake.
- He said he no longer speaks to Truss and dismissed Tory MPs defecting to Reform.
- He argued the calibre of British politicians has declined and voters help shape that.
- He said MPs should be paid more and suggested halving the number of MPs while doubling salaries.
