A year ago, Nadhim Zahawi had not yet joined Boris Johnson’s cabinet. But after a traumatic day for Downing Street, the Prime Minister turned to a trusted supporter to be his third chancellor.
The rapid rise of Johnson’s latest choice to run the Treasury began in November 2020, when he was called upon to oversee the UK’s rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine. He was widely praised by Tory MPs for his calm media appearances in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Zahawi’s promotion to chancellor marks the latest step in the rapid rise of a minister whom senior conservatives believe will one day lead their party.
The 55-year-old was born in Iraqi Kurdistan and arrived in England aged 11 after his family fled Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in 1978. His teachers warned Zahawi’s parents that he might suffer from learning difficulties, since he cannot speak English initially.
Before politics, Zahawi pursued a successful business career. As well as being an adviser to the writer and former Tory MP Geoffrey Archer, he distributed T-shirts and Teletubbies merchandise to retailers including Marks and Spencer.
Together with fellow Conservative Stefan Shakespeare in 2000, he founded the polling company YouGov, which specializes in online surveys. Five years later, it went public.
Zahawi entered parliament in 2010 as the MP for Stratford-upon-Avon and, under the party’s leadership of David Cameron, was appointed to political unit number 10. He supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum.
He joined the government as a junior minister in the Department for Education under Theresa May and later became minister for industry. Following cabinet reshuffles in September 2021, he was promoted to Johnson’s Education Secretary.
After Sunak’s resignation Tuesday night, Johnson turned to Zahawi as a longtime friend to try to stabilize his government and economy.
A senior government insider described Zahawi as a “class act” and suggested he would pursue a different economic strategy than Sunak: “He has a history of aspiration, aspiration and progress.”
The official added: “For the next stage, we need a growth plan, not just balancing the books. It represents the values and commitment of the government.
Another Johnson ally said the prime minister and the new chancellor were united on the economy. “Nadim has very quickly picked up on what the Prime Minister has become increasingly frustrated with, which is a credible, simple and compelling plan to stimulate the economy and make Britain the best place in the northern hemisphere to do business.”
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However, Zahawi’s decision to take the post was criticized by some conservative MPs. One influential player from the back bench said: “He took the helm of a sinking ship. Now he is with Boris until he falls.
But his decision to back Johnson speaks to his drive. In recent months, Zahawi has quietly begun preparing to bid for the leadership should Johnson be forced out of Downing Street.
One lawmaker backing Zahawi’s potential candidacy said his new role could help his future chances. “Stabilizing the markets and getting a higher profile will only help going forward.”
A Tory insider close to him said he was likely to run for the top job. “Nadim will not oppose Boris, he is completely loyal. But if he goes, I have no doubt he will endure.
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