BRITISH home secretary Sajid Javid said on Monday (27) he would stand in a leadership race to replace prime minister Theresa May, saying he would strive to deliver Brexit.

"I'm standing to be the next leader of (the) Conservatives and Prime Minister of our great country," he said on Twitter, becoming the latest in a long line of Conservatives to announce a leadership bid.

"We need to restore trust, bring unity and create new opportunities across the UK. First and foremost, we must deliver Brexit."

In a video, Javid said the results of the European elections, which saw his part score less than 10 per cent of the total votes, made it clear that the government "must get on and deliver Brexit to ensure there is renewed trust in our democracy."

He added: "We must bridge divides to heal communities, reminding us of our shared values as a United Kingdom, and we must strengthen our society and economy so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities which a prosperous nation provides."

Javid, a former banker and a champion of free markets, has served a number of cabinet roles and scores consistently well in polls of party members. A second-generation immigrant of Pakistani heritage, he has a portrait of late Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher on his office wall.

(with Reuters)