Villagers split on Sajid Javid as next Prime Minister
Villagers on the edge of the Black Country were relaxed at the prospect of their MP becoming the next prime minister, possibly because many never thought it would become a reality.
Sajid Javid’s constituency of Bromsgrove takes in Hagley, which sits just south of Stourbridge.
People there spoke before he pulled out of the race. They described him as a competent, principled and genuine man – but were split on whether he would make a good leader.
Lee Fowkes was out enjoying a cappuccino with his dog Freddie at the Coffee Shop on the high street and the 57-year-old described Mr Javid as one of the grown ups in Parliament.
Speaking before Mr Javid pulled out of the race, he said: "I think he is a very competent local MP for the area and I was impressed a few years ago when he resigned from the cabinet on principal after Dominic Cummings tried to get him to dismiss his staff.
"It was a tough gig being Health Secretary during a pandemic and I think he did a great job and I think he is a good, intellectual person with a wide range of business and life experience behind him.
"We do see him around here when he's campaigning and he'll go into the local pub and I think he's been a good constituency MP, balancing it out with his ministerial role.
"As a leader, he appears to be the grown up in the room and if I had a vote, it would be for him as after years of celebrity politics and bluff and bluster, we need someone who can get down to serious business and I believe Sajid has what it takes."
At the Hagley Cafe down the road, Catherine Longdon said she felt Mr Javid was an honest person.
The 80-year-old said: "He seems like an honest man as he asked Boris Johnson to resign twice as a matter of conscience and my husband thinks he comes across as a genuine person.
"I've not met him personally, but we've sent him several letters in the past and he does try to respond and I do prefer him to Rishi Sunak.
"I would really like to hear from other candidates before I make up my mind about who I would want to lead as I don't think anyone can really replace Boris Johnson."
Andrew Illidge was also enjoying a coffee at the Cafe and the 66-year-old said he wasn't sure about backing Mr Javid due to him not voting for Brexit.
He said: "I think he's a good guy and he does a lot of good work for the area as MP and I think he'd make a good leader.
"However, if I had a vote, I don't think I'd vote for him as he didn't back Brexit and, for me, the next person in that role needs to be behind it and have voted for it in the first place."
Keith Avery owns Hagley Cobblers in the centre of the village and the 70-year-old said he thought Mr Javid was a nice person and praised his honesty.
He said: "I've met him once when he came down to the village a few years ago and I spoke about my concerns for the local area, to which he listened and said he would do what he could for the area.
"I think he would make a good leader as he is honest, which carries a long way, and I think the way he resigned because he didn't agree with things was the right thing to do as he's seen both sides of life and can be trusted.
"Given the chance, I would be more inclined to vote for him over Rishi Sunak as he's done a lot around here and comes across as interested in people and talking to them."
Candidates vying to be Conservative Party leader - and the next Prime Minister - must secure nominations from at least 20 Tory MPs by 6pm to enter the contest.
