London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Apr 23, 2026

Boris Johnson: Five big decisions looming for the PM

It's only six weeks since Boris Johnson stormed to victory in the general election - winning with an 80-strong majority - but the honeymoon is over and the new prime minister now has serious government business to attend to.

The coming few weeks demand some big decisions from Mr Johnson and his cabinet.

So what are they - and what does the BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith think are the key factors at play?

One of Mr Johnson's headline pledges in his election campaign was to increase connectivity for all, so the creation of a UK-wide 5G mobile network could play a major part in keeping that promise.

Chinese firm Huawei is a leader in the field and wants to supply the kit for the network.

But while the technology is recognised, there are fears about allowing a company with strong links to the Chinese government into such crucial infrastructure.

The US in particular has voiced its concerns, saying it "would be madness" to use the firm's technology and warning the decision would lead to a review of intelligence-sharing with the UK.

But Huawei has denied posing any threat to security and suggested the worries were about frustrating its progress in the sector, rather than anything more sinister.

A decision was due last year, but it was delayed, prompting anger from UK mobile companies who are keen to crack on.

The government is expected to make its final call on Tuesday, but Mr Johnson hinted with a day to go that there would be some use of the tech firm's equipment.

He told reporters: "We are going to come up with a solution... to have access to fantastic technology, fantastic communications, but also [to] protect our security interests and protect our key partnerships with other security powers around the world."


HS2 or not to HS2

Another pledge from the PM was to improve physical infrastructure in the UK - namely transport - and Mr Johnson is now smack bang in the middle of the arguments over one of the biggest projects, High Speed Rail 2 (HS2).

The blueprint sees a first line being built between London and Birmingham - to carry bigger trains and allow for more passengers - before a second "v-shaped" phase, taking services from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.

But concerns have been raised over the cost - which is expected to pass £100bn - and whether the need for stronger rail links from east to west in the north of England should take precedence.

The government commissioned a review of HS2 after Mr Johnson was handed the keys to No 10 last summer, with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps saying it was "responsible" to see whether the benefits really "stack up".

But the pressure is mounting for a decision, especially after repeated leaks from the review.

A final call on whether to continue with the project is expected in February.


Northern Rail ruling

It isn't just brand new infrastructure under the looking glass - Mr Johnson and Mr Shapps have also promised to address the ongoing troubles with Northern Rail.

The firm in charge, Arriva Rail North, has come under heavy criticism for its performance, and politicians - including Labour's Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue - and residents served by the line have called for the franchise to be removed.

Mr Johnson said the government was "developing contingency plans" for a replacement, while Mr Shapps said stripping the firm of its franchise was an option.

But the transport secretary said he was also evaluating a proposal from the train operator on options for continuing.

A final call on the controversial issue will have to be made soon.


Time for a reshuffle

After Mr Johnson won his majority, the word from Westminster sources was to expect a big reshuffle of his cabinet come February.

His initial appointments when he took over in July 2019 seemed to be focused around rewarding Brexit backers and his own supporters from the Tory leadership contest.

But now he has five years in power, commentators believe his choices will show what direction he wants to take as prime minister.

So, who will be out and who will be in?

The only person we know for certain who will be out of a job - or his current one, at least - come 1 February is Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay, but that is because his department is being shut down.

The rest, for now, is speculation. But it is another big and defining decision for the PM to take.


The EU negotiations begin

Last but not least, Brexit... Mr Johnson based his whole election campaign on "getting Brexit done", but once the UK leaves the EU on 31 January, there is the small matter of negotiating a trade deal with the bloc to contend with.

The PM has said he's ready to get talks started the very next day, but he has also put a hard deadline on negotiations - the end of the year.

Mr Johnson has insisted he can get a deal done in 11 months. However, other parties involved, including the EU's negotiator Michel Barnier and Irish PM Leo Varadkar, have cast doubt on that timeline.

It's not just a question of timings, either. Mr Johnson also needs to decide on his game plan - what does he actually want to get out of an agreement with the EU?

There have been slightly mixed messages from the Treasury on just how close the UK wants to stay aligned with Brussels, but we should find out the real intentions in the coming days.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Changi Airport: How Singapore Engineered the World’s Most Efficient Travel Experience
Power Dynamics: Apple’s Leadership Shakeup, Geopolitical Risks in the Strait of Hormuz, and Europe's Energy Strategy Amidst Global Challenges
Apple's Leadership Transition: Can New CEO John Ternus Navigate AI Challenges and Geopolitical Pressures?
Italy’s €100K Tax Gambit: Europe’s Soft Power Tax Haven
News Roundup
Microsoft lost 2.5 millions users (French government) to Linux
Privacy Problems in Microsoft Windows OS
News roundup
Péter András Magyar and the Strategic Reset of Hungary
Hungary After the Landslide — A Strategic Reset in Europe
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
×