Now what? Johnson’s post-brexit diary fills up

BORIS JOHNSON yesterday told his Cabinet to go “full steam ahead” as Britain enters a “new chapter” in its history.

In the coming weeks, the Prime Minister will set out his agenda for post-brexit Britain in two major speeches, and kick-start trade negotiations.

Here is what will be on his agenda now that Britain has left the European Union.

Trade talks

Mr Johnson will set out his aims for a free-trade deal with the European Union in a speech within days. He hopes to secure and ratify it before the end of the 11-month transition period.

The Government is expected to publish its negotiation objectives with the US at the same time as it begins negotiating with Brussels. The Prime Minister is expected to begin talks with Washington during a visit this month.

Yesterday, the Cabinet discussed its plans to secure a Canada-style Free Trade Agreement with the EU.

However, Brussels is not likely to come to the table for talks until March.

The Union

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said Scotland was “on the cusp” of independence and said Brexit would lead to the break-up of the UK.

The First Minister said she would continue to press Mr Johnson to allow another independence referendum by setting up cross-party talks and asking the Electoral Commission to examine the suitability of the referendum question from 2014.

However, she said an unofficial “consultative” referendum without Mr Johnson’s authority – an option backed by several senior SNP figures – could end up backfiring if the courts declared it illegal.

Reshuffle

Mr Johnson is expected to hold a Cabinet reshuffle within the next fortnight, with some in government wondering whether it will be a “Valentine’s Day massacre”.

Michael Gove is expected to be given a leading role in trade-deal negotiations, likely to make him the “de facto” deputy prime minister.

Dominic Raab is expected to take foreign aid into his current brief as Foreign Secretary, as part of a restructuring of Whitehall.

Budget

The Prime Minister’s pledge of “levelling up” of opportunity across the country is expected to be a focus in March’s Budget, which will also see more money for infrastructure projects across the UK.

By the end of his first 100 days of a majority government – Mar 22 – Mr Johnson had said he will legislate for a cash increase for schools by raising the minimum funding per pupil.

Other domestic pledges include finding a long-term funding model for the social care system, as well as improve mobile telephone coverage in the countryside.

Foreign policy

The Prime Minister is expected to deliver a major speech on foreign policy and Britain’s place in the world in March. Policymakers have been tasked with developing how the UK will position itself after Brexit, The Telegraph understands.

During the election campaign, Mr Johnson said he would undertake a major review of foreign policy, security, and defence.

Meanwhile, this week’s decision to grant Huawei access to the UK’S 5G network will continue to raise questions over Chinese influence.