Non-Brexit issues could determine success of May's premiership

London

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Sunday that Prime Minister Theresa May should trigger Article 50, kicking off the formal Brexit negotiations with Brussels, as soon as possible so the process doesn't "drag on". Mr Johnson's high-profile intervention highlights growing pressure on Mrs May on the already daunting task of determining the timing and terms of the UK's exit from the European Union (EU).

However, while most UK eyes, and many internationally, are focused on this complex issue, it is potentially non-Brexit issues that could be as determinative of the success of her premiership. When she entered 10 Downing Street, Mrs May inherited many long-standing, contentious, policy decisions ranging from whether to move forward with the Hinkley Point nuclear power station; vexed challenges such as pensions reform, and the country's housing crisis; plus the multibillion-pound issue of whether to expand Heathrow, Gatwick and/or potentially the UK's wider airport infrastructure, despite concerns about flight emissions and global warming.