Government
Boris Johnson will spend his first few days back in Number 10 setting up the new government.
A reshuffle will take place around MPs who have lost their seats and the prime minister may wish to make changes to some of the top jobs.
Johnson has promised to keep Sajid Javid as chancellor. Given Javid introduced Johnson at his campaign speech at JCB on Tuesday, it looks like the prime minister will probably keep his word on this one.
A budget will take place in February, if Brexit goes ahead as planned.
Parliament
Parliament will meet for the first time on Tuesday 17 December. MPs will be sworn in over two days.
Former MPs unsuccessful at the election will have days to clear out their old offices. Those new to the job are likely to spend the rest of the year (there’s only really one working parliamentary week left!) all over the place across the Parliamentary Estate until their offices are assigned and arranged.
A slimmed down Queen’s Speech will take place on Thursday 19 December, setting out the government’s legislative priority.
Brexit
The prime minister will re-introduce his Brexit deal to Parliament in the form of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill.
The first stage of this will take place on Friday 20 December, when the Bill is presented to the House of Commons.
The government will aim to pass this Bill by mid January, to allow the deal to be approved by the EU Parliament. Once its approved and in law, it’s go for Brexit to take place on 31 January.
The government and EU will then start negotiations on the UK-EU trade deal, security partnership and countless other arrangements covering different areas.
The clock will be very much ticking on these talks. The transition period (where we have left the EU but nothing really changes for a while to provide stability) is due to end on 31 December 2020. The government and EU can agree to extend this by one or two years, but a decision has to be made before 1 July 2020.
Throughout the election campaign, Boris Johnson has refused to say that he will ask for an extension. That doesn’t leave very long to pin down agreements, leaving many to warn that a no-deal Brexit is still very much on the table.
The next few months
We’re likely to see big changes in in the other political parties over the next few months
Jeremy Corbyn’s tenure as Labour leader is now all but over after four years in the job. His successor is likely to be chosen after a bruising few months of leadership contest.
Jo Swinson is also out as Liberal Democrat leader, having brutally lost her seat. She was only elected five months ago but her performance in the election campaign left many wanting.
Nigel Farage will launch the Reform Party (to replace his Brexit Party) once the UK has left the EU. Presumably any MPs elected under the Brexit Party banner will also switch to Reform. As things stand, the Brexit Party doesn’t look confident that it will win any seats on 12 December.
