Boris Johnson won’t dance to the tune of big business on Brexit

Now that the Withdrawal Agreement Bill has received royal assent and become law, the UK will leave the EU at the end of the month. Attention in Westminster has turned to the next stage of the Brexit negotiations. In No. 10 there is a desire to de-dramatise the upcoming trade talks and avoid a day-to-day commentary. The biggest challenge lies in getting the EU to agree to No. 10’s vision for trade between the UK and EU. However, the election result means that Johnson can focus on this task and pursue a strategy in a way that Theresa May could not.

The fact that Boris Johnson has a majority of 80 means there will be much less attention on whether what is agreed will please individual MPs or can pass the Commons. Figures in No. 10 think the improved situation in parliament means the Commons will not be a distraction in these talks.