News Analysis |
Sajid Javid has been announced as Britain’s new interior minister after Amber Rudd resigned as home secretary, having “inadvertently misled” lawmakers about deportation targets for illegal immigrants.
Javid is the son of a Pakistani Muslim migrant bus driver from a state-educated school background. His parents settled in Rochdale, where Javid, one of five brothers, was born.
Sajid Javid MP @SajidJavid becomes Secretary of State for the @UKHomeOffice
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 30, 2018
Prime Miister Theresa May’s Downing Street office announced the appointment in a statement. Javid was previously Britain’s communities’ minister.
Sajid is one of the 12 Pakistani origin politicians to win a seat in the previous elections in Britain. Afzal Khan, the shadow immigration minister, had recently brought up the issue of Kashmir to Theresa May.
Theresa May announced Javid’s appointment on Monday morning, installing the communities secretary to the Home Office where his first job will be to deal with the ongoing immigration issue. Javid stated that his “most urgent task” was to get to grips with the Windrush crisis, and ensure those affected “are all treated with the decency and the fairness they deserve”.
What is the Windrush Crisis/Scandal?
The Windrush Generation of Commonwealth citizens are being denied healthcare and threatened with deportation despite being residents in the UK for decades. 140 MPs signed a letter to demand a resolution to the crisis. It is estimated that around 500,000 people resident in the UK who arrived before 1971 from a Commonwealth country are being affected in the Windrush crisis.
It is still uncertain whether there would be an end to the so-called hostile environment immigration policy.
May’s appointment of Javid is being termed as a safe option by her. The shadow home secretary. Diane Abbott, stated that Javid should not be used as a “human shield” by Theresa May.
Javid, 48, has shown dismay over the controversial policy and stated, ““I thought that could be my mum … my dad … my uncle … it could be me.” Javid’s parents emigrated from Pakistan in the 1960’s
Rudd was forced to resign after a leaked letter according to which she was claiming to increase deportation by 10%. This intention was contrary to her previous statements where she was denying being aware of the deportation targets.
Even though Ruth has resigned and Javid has been appointed in her place as Britain’s home secretary, questions arise whether Javid will be able to end the hostile environment for those members of the Commonwealth countries that face threats of deportations.
May’s appointment of Javid is being termed as a safe option by her. The shadow home secretary. Diane Abbott, stated that Javid should not be used as a “human shield” by Theresa May.
“My parents came to this country from Pakistan, just like the Windrush generation,” he said.
Creation of Pakistan a ‘milestone’: Saqib Javid
In a recent conference held in London, Javid, said Pakistan’s creations is a matter of pride to Pakistanis across the world, including 1.2 million British Pakistanis who take strong pride in their heritage.
“British Pakistanis have done an excellent job in areas of public services, private sector and transforming lives,” he said, adding that he was proud of being the son of a bus driver. “I feel proud when I see fellow British Pakistanis in the British parliament.
Sajid is one of the 12 Pakistani origin politicians to win a seat in the previous elections in Britain. Afzal Khan, the shadow immigration minister, had recently brought up the issue of Kashmir to Theresa May.