FORMER Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi is standing down as a Tory MP at the next election, he announced this morning.
The top Conservative– who has held a variety of Cabinet posts – said the “time was right” to go after 14 years in the Commons.
He insisted Rishi Sunak had his “unswerving loyalty” as he joined around 60 Tories declaring that they were standing down.
In a departure letter he said that “parting is such a sweet sorrow”, adding that “my mistakes have been mine”.
With the exception of convincing my wife to marry me, it has been the greatest honour of my life to represent the people of Stratford-on-Avon and serve as a Minister of the Crown.”
The Iraqi-born politician declared Britain the “greatest country on earth” as he spoke movingly about seeking refuge from Saddam Hussein’s regime.
He said today: “Every morning as I shave my head in the mirror, I have to pinch myself. How is it that a boy from Baghdad who came to these shores, fleeing persecution and unable to speak a word of English, was able to do as much as I have?
“For all our challenges, this is the best country on Earth, and it helped me make my British dream come true.”
Mr Zahawi, 56, was promoted to Chancellor by Boris Johnson in summer 2022 following the sensational resignation of Mr Sunak.
But within hours of taking the job he had joined the legions of Tory MPs calling on Mr Johnson to quit, which he did.
Mr Zahawi continued to serve in the Treasury until Liz Truss became PM, where he was a top Cabinet Office Minister overseeing arrangements for the Queen’s funeral.
He was appointed Chairman of the Conservative Party under PM Mr Sunak until he was sacked in a tax row.
The No10 ethics adviser had found him in breach of the ministerial code for failing to declare an HMRC probe.
He also served memorably as Vaccines Minister during the pandemic and later Education Secretary.
Mr Zahawi traded a successful business career as founder of the polling firm YouGov to become a Tory MP for Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010.
Referencing his constituency as the home of Shakespeare, he said in his letter: “As my most famous constituent once wrote: ‘Go to your bosom; knock there and ask your heart what it doth know’.
“I have come to feel that the time is right for a new, energetic Conservative to fight for the honour of representing Stratford-on-Avon and assuming the mantle of MP for Shakespeare.
“I will, of course, serve my constituents with dedication and determination until then, and the Prime Minister, and the Conservative Party, will continue to have my unswerving support into and beyond the next general election.
“Parting is such sweet sorrow. I would like to thank all of my parliamentary staff and colleagues, civil service officials, special advisers, and everyone else who has ever given me advice, praise, or kept me in check with criticism.
“My mistakes have been mine, and my successes have come from working with, and leading, amazing people. I am most grateful of all for the love of my family and friends, especially Lana.”