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?

The Huawei question

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.”

Expect loud reaction either way.

Norman Smith says: Boris Johnson risks a major rift with Donald Trump over this.

The US president has put the squeeze on the PM by making clear he believes Huawei is a security risk – a squeeze made more pressing by the fact Mr Johnson is desperate for a trade deal with Washington.

But against that, Britain’s spies apparently believe the risk is overstated, and British companies are convinced giving the Chinese the go-ahead would be a major post Brexit-boost for the economy.

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.

Norman Smith says: This would seem an obvious one. Of course Boris Johnson will give HS2 the go-ahead given his promises about “levelling up” outside of London… However, costs are spiralling and there are increasing doubts over whether it will really benefit towns in the North.

It may, therefore, be better to spend the cash on boosting existing lines and services.

Plus, the second phase of HS2 is unlikely to be completed until the late 2030s. Hardly shovel-ready…

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.

Norman Smith says: What better way to demonstrate the government is taking action to improve transport in the North than by stripping Arriva of the contract and taking the line back into public ownership?

After all, the Tories have already taken back the struggling East Coast line, and it would probably be a popular move. However, it would mean the government taking responsibility for one of the most geographically challenging of franchises. Arriva also has a successful record running other rail franchises.

Perhaps investment, rather than the management, is the problem…

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.

Norman Smith says: Boris Johnson will probably never be more powerful than now. So what better time to carry out a sweeping cabinet cull? It could signal a post-Brexit fresh start. But cabinet reshuffles are rarely painless or easy.

Importantly, many of those deemed to be vulnerable are female ministers and it wouldn’t be a great look for Mr Johnson to axe a clutch of women from his cabinet.

So maybe this could, in the end, actually prove a more cautious reshuffle.

The EU negotiations begin