British election: payback time as Boris Johnson vows to spread the wealth

Boris Johnson will promise new Tory MPs he will repay the trust of voters by starting infrastructure projects in England’s north.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Sedgefield, northern England. Picture: Getty Images

Boris Johnson will promise new Tory MPs that he will repay the trust of their voters with moves to keep violent criminals in jail and start infrastructure projects for the north of England.

Having won over many ­Labour supporters in northern and central England in last week’s general election, he has promised to lead a “people’s government” and “repay the public’s trust by getting Brexit done”.

The Queen’s Speech on Thursday is also expected to ­include a symbolic pledge to ­enshrine National Health Service funding increases in law, as Mr Johnson seeks to address the concerns­ of working-class voters who handed him an 80-seat majority­ and 109 new MPs.

A ban on no-fault evictions could be included too, as Downing Street promises to protect those renters from rogue landlords. A boost to school funding is also likely to be confirmed.

Before the election, the governme­nt promised a national infrastructure strategy to spread prosperity to “every corner of the United Kingdom” and this is also likely to feature in Thursday’s proposals. Mr Johnson wants to “close the productivity gap” ­between London and other parts of the country and will pledge reforms­ across transport, energy and broadband.

Overnight, the Prime Minister was to greet his new MPs as they arrived in Westminster. A No 10 source said: “This election and the new generation of MPs that have resulted from Labour towns turning blue will help change our politics­ for the better. The PM has been very clear that we have a ­responsibility to deliver a better future … and repay the public’s trust by getting Brexit done.”

The government will prioritise its withdrawal agreement bill, which passed its second reading by 30 votes before the election was called. Ministers hope to bring another second reading vote on Friday but will need agreement from other parties for the Commons to sit then. If they object, MPs will be brought back on December 23 so that Mr Johnson can fulfil his promise to start work before Christmas.

The source said: “The first piece of legislation new MPs will vote on will be the withdrawal agreement bill. By getting Brexit done, this ‘one nation’ Conservative government will help this country move forward.

“We will invest in our National Health Service, in our schools, in creating safer streets, better hospital­s and building a better Britain for everyone in this country, regardless of how they voted. Our job is to serve the people.”

The Queen’s Speech is expected to include many of the measures promised in the previous one two months ago. These include longer sentences for violent crime and rail reforms giving northern cities more control of their networks­.

A minimum service agreement bill to ensure that commuters do not get stranded during rail strikes is also likely to be included, as is legislation to protect troops from “vexatious” legal claims.

The government has promised a national infrastructure strategy to help to revitalise the economy of the north and other parts of the country that are overshadowed by London.

It has pledged £100bn ($192bn) for “national renewal”, and rail and road projects are being urged on the government by new northern MPs.

The Times