Boris Johnson: 5 huge selections looming for the PM

It is solely six weeks since Boris Johnson stormed to victory within the common election – successful with an 80-strong majority – however the honeymoon is over and the brand new prime minister now has critical authorities enterprise to take care of.

The approaching few weeks demand some huge selections from Mr Johnson and his cupboard.

So what are they – and what does the BBC’s assistant political editor Norman Smith suppose are the important thing elements at play?

The Huawei query

One in all Mr Johnson’s headline pledges in his election marketing campaign was to extend connectivity for all, so the creation of a UK-wide 5G cellular community may play a serious half in maintaining that promise.

Chinese language agency Huawei is a pacesetter within the subject and desires to provide the package for the community.

However whereas the know-how is recognised, there are fears about permitting an organization with robust hyperlinks to the Chinese language authorities into such essential infrastructure.

The US in particular has voiced its concerns, saying it “can be insanity” to make use of the agency’s know-how and warning the choice would result in a evaluate of intelligence-sharing with the UK.

However Huawei has denied posing any menace to safety and instructed the concerns have been about irritating its progress within the sector, reasonably than something extra sinister.

A call was due final yr, but it was delayed, prompting anger from UK cellular corporations who’re eager to crack on.

The federal government is predicted to make its closing name on Tuesday, however Mr Johnson hinted with a day to go that there can be some use of the tech agency’s gear.

He advised reporters: “We’re going to provide you with an answer… to have entry to implausible know-how, implausible communications, but additionally [to] defend our safety pursuits and defend our key partnerships with different safety powers around the globe.”

Count on loud response both method.

Norman Smith says: Boris Johnson dangers a serious rift with Donald Trump over this.

The US president has put the squeeze on the PM by making clear he believes Huawei is a safety danger – a squeeze made extra urgent by the actual fact Mr Johnson is determined for a commerce take care of Washington.

However in opposition to that, Britain’s spies apparently consider the chance is overstated, and British corporations are satisfied giving the Chinese language the go-ahead can be a serious put up Brexit-boost for the financial system.

HS2 or to not HS2

One other pledge from the PM was to enhance bodily infrastructure within the UK – specifically transport – and Mr Johnson is now smack bang in the midst of the arguments over one of the biggest projects, Excessive Velocity Rail 2 (HS2).

The blueprint sees a primary line being constructed between London and Birmingham – to hold larger trains and permit for extra passengers – earlier than a second “v-shaped” part, taking companies from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.

However considerations have been raised over the price – which is predicted to cross £100bn – and whether or not the necessity for stronger rail hyperlinks from east to west within the north of England ought to take priority.

The federal government commissioned a evaluate of HS2 after Mr Johnson was handed the keys to No 10 final summer time, with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps saying it was “accountable” to see whether or not the advantages actually “stack up”.

However the strain is mounting for a call, particularly after repeated leaks from the evaluate.

A closing name on whether or not to proceed with the mission is predicted in February.

Norman Smith says: This would appear an apparent one. In fact Boris Johnson will give HS2 the go-ahead given his guarantees about “levelling up” outdoors of London… Nevertheless, prices are spiralling and there are growing doubts over whether or not it is going to actually profit cities within the North.

It could, subsequently, be higher to spend the money on boosting current strains and companies.

Plus, the second part of HS2 is unlikely to be accomplished till the late 2030s. Hardly shovel-ready…

Northern Rail ruling

It is not simply model new infrastructure beneath the trying glass – Mr Johnson and Mr Shapps have additionally promised to handle the continued troubles with Northern Rail.

The agency in cost, Arriva Rail North, has come under heavy…