The life journey of Sajid Javid, the former UK Chancellor, has been a remarkable one, marked by poverty, domestic violence, and racism, which eventually led him to become a multi-millionaire banker, Minister of Finance, and later Home Secretary. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Javid shared his story of how he navigated the challenges of his childhood, including financial struggles, family conflicts, and bullying at school.
Javid’s parents, who immigrated to the UK in the early 1960s, faced significant difficulties in adapting to British society. His father worked as a bus driver, a factory worker, and a shopkeeper, while his mother struggled with social isolation due to her limited English skills. Javid’s childhood was marked by financial struggles, family conflicts, and bullying at school, where he faced racism and harassment.
Despite these challenges, Javid’s family remained resilient, and he eventually achieved his dream of buying a home in Bristol. In his recent memoir, Javid wrote about the difficulties his parents faced, including his mother’s initial reluctance to meet his Christian wife, Laura, and her eventual regret for her prejudices.
Javid has been a vocal supporter of a points-based immigration system since Brexit, arguing that the UK admits too many unskilled migrants. He believes that language is the biggest barrier to integration in British society and that making English a condition for residency is essential.
In a surprising move, Javid has expressed opposition to his own parents’ immigration to the UK, citing the current laws, which would not have allowed his unskilled father or English-speaking mother to settle in the country. This stance is a reflection of his commitment to addressing the challenges of integration and promoting a more cohesive society.
As the UK grapples with the complexities of immigration and integration, Javid’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the root causes of social isolation and promoting a more inclusive society.
