The assumption of Boris Johnson to the prime ministership of the United Kingdom has come with no honeymoon period, it seems. This week, as Johnson's selection was formalized, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) issued a pointed and lengthy list of concerns facing the nation's building industry while vowing to "engage with the new Prime Minister and his government immediately, ensuring the voice of architects is heard loud and clear.”

In a letter reacting to the selection of the new prime minister, RIBA CEO Alan Vallance said, "The global climate emergency is the greatest challenge the world has ever faced. With 40-percent of carbon emissions generated from the built environment, the [prime minister] must recognize how vital our profession is to ensure the UK meets the net-zero target."

Valance added, "The unacceptable delay to reforming building and fire safety regulations since the Grenfell Tower tragedy must be urgently addressed. The [prime minister] must strengthen and expand requirements to ensure all our buildings are safe."