UK: Nadhim Zahawi announces decision to stand down at general election

Nadhim Zahawi has become the latest Conservative MP to announce that he will not run for the office again in the general elections.

Former chancellor under Boris Johnson, Zahawi on Thursday said, “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.”

“My mistakes have been mine and my successes have come from working with amazing people,” he added.

Zahawi was sacked in 2023 by UK PM Rishi Sunak from the position of Conservative party chair after he failed to disclose an HMRC investigation into his tax affairs and was found to have violated the ministerial code.

pic.twitter.com/XZTUeUkSnS — Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) May 9, 2024

“The prime minister and the Conservative party will continue to have my unswerving support into and beyond the next general election,” he said.

He became the 64th Conservative MP to announce his decision to step down at the next general election.

'I have to pinch myself'

The 56-year-old was born in Iraq and migrated to the United Kingdom in 1978 when he was a child after his family fled Saddam Hussein’s regime. He was elected as the MP for Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010.

Referring to his origins in his statement, Zahawi said, “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?”

He then in his statement, talked about his constituents and said, “Whether they are struggling against the dead hand of bureaucracy or are stricken by tragedy, being able to help them in their time of need remains one of the most meaningful things I have ever done”.

(With inputs from agencies)