During the Brexit debate, and purdah, Government put many things on hold. Given the outcome and the political and economic situation for the next six months or more it seems that many big decisions will be further delayed, if they take place at all; these include:

• Hinkley Point nuclear build – The French might be having second thoughts on this investment given the outcome of the vote.
• Swansea Tidal Lagoon – Value for money review     Even if the review reports quickly it seems likely that any decision by Government will be delayed.
• The London Runway     Given the number of Tory MPs affected by this decision this is definitely one for any new administration.
• Twenty five year environment plan     This most unlikely project was a rather strange proposition before the vote. Whether it comes forward in this time of uncertainty seems debatable. George Eustace might fancy rewriting the bits protecting wildlife! 
• SuDS Review    Whether this promised review of the Housing Bill will see the light of day in the current circumstances is debatable
• 5th Carbon Budget – this is due out at the end of June ….
• Burying bad news – A report on competition in the big six energy producers was published on Friday. One commentator it was the ‘best day ever for burying bad news’ – there is a need to watch out carefully

Political Uncertainty   For our system of Government to work there needs to be a degree of political stability. With the current consequences of the vote playing out over the next six months it will be difficult for Parliament to function. Once some degree of stability does return there will only one issue on the agenda. The outcome of the vote has had the following political consequences:

• Election of the new Conservative leader and a new cabinet
• Vote of confidence in the Labour leader – another election?
• Constitutional position of Scotland re-opened in
• Questions on the status of Northern Ireland
• A potential early election testing voters willingness for action
• There is also the issue of the vast majority of MPs being Pro-Europe and tested by a series of petitions
• The difficulty of Defra & DECC Ministers being in Remain and Leave camps
• A difficulty with tensions within the Conservative MPs with a majority of 12 making legislative action difficult
• No plan – Brexit Unit set up in the Cabinet office – lead by Oliver Letwin