Sajid Javid’s resignation is the end of an era in British politics

The chancellor’s exit is the prelude to the biggest change in how the British state runs itself since devolution – but it may be brief.

By Stephen Bush

Sajid Javid has resigned as chancellor of the exchequer after being told that he could retain his position but that his special advisers would be replaced and absorbed into a joint Downing Street team.

It is, in terms of the governance of the United Kingdom, probably the most significant development since the creation of the devolved parliaments in 1999. Rishi Sunak, Javid’s replacement, is reported to have accepted the merger of staff across numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street.