THE announcement by Bromsgrove MP and Home Secretary Sajid Javid to enter the Conservative leadership race to be the next PM has led to an out pouring of comments from readers.

Mr Javid, who has held a range of ministerial posts since his election as MP for Bromsgrove in 2010, said there was a need to “restore trust, bring unity and create new opportunities across the UK”.

The 49-year-old, who backed Remain in the referendum but has since positioned himself as a firm Leaver, said: “First and foremost, we must deliver Brexit.”

Mr Javid became the first home secretary from an ethnic minority background when he was appointed in April 2018.

The son of a Pakistani bus driver from Rochdale, he was a managing director at Deutsche Bank before being elected to Parliament.

Announcing his intention to stand in a message on Twitter, Mr Javid said: “I’m standing to be the next leader of @Conservatives & Prime Minister of our great country.

“We need to restore trust, bring unity and create new opportunities across the UK."

Many readers have got in touch since, commenting on the news.

Zoe Lee said: "I met Mr Javid at a Bromsgrove Job Centre jobs fair - one of the rudest men I’ve ever met! Turned his nose up at the people attending, refused to speak to them and shake their hands and gave a speech which showed he had no interest or clue about the local economy or the job seekers in the local area.

Arif Ali said: "Another ex-banker man of the people..."

Tom Birch said: "Please no. What's he done for Bromsgrove?"

"Morris Dewhurst said: "This bloke said he and his party would help the people at British Steel what do we get another company doomed, no interest in Bromsgrove unless it's a PR event. Bromsgrove is a safe Conservative seat that's the only reason he's here."

Anne Jones said: "He had to throw his hat in. He knows he's not going to get the top job but if he can generate a healthy number of votes, that will stand him in good stead for a decent role in the new cabinet."

Sara Norcott said: "Tried to contact him about a problem - no response. Seems he already has no time for his constituents."

However, not all the responses were completely negative.

Mike Sheriff said: "Personally I think he would be a great PM but not at this time because it is a poison chalice at this time because of Brexit."

Mr Javid joins eight other Tory MPs vying for the top job, including Cabinet colleagues Jeremy Hunt, Rory Stewart, Matt Hancock and Michael Gove.

Former Cabinet ministers Andrea Leadsom, Esther McVey, Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson have also thrown their hats into the ring to replace Mrs May.

The new Tory leader looks set to take over as prime minister at the end of July after Mrs May finally laid out a timetable for her exit from Downing Street.

The timetable for the contest will mean nominations close in the week of June 10, with MPs involved in a series of votes to whittle down the crowded field to a final two contenders.

Tory Party members will then decide who wins the run-off.