Having secured a huge majority and placed himself in a position of strength, there had been hopes that Boris Johnson might move towards a softer, less damaging Brexit.
However, those hopes were dashed yesterday with his decision to effectively block any further delay.
As it stands, the UK is due to leave the EU on January 31 and given the election result, that now looks certain to happen.
As has been said many times, that date is not the end of Brexit but just the beginning of further negotiations on a free trade agreement with Brussels.
The implementation period is due to run until the end of 2020, with senior EU figures, including chief negotiator Michel Barnier, sceptical that a deal can be agreed within that short time-frame.
The current position is that if more time is needed - and trade deals can often take years to conclude - then the transition period can be extended by mutual consent by up to two years.
However, Mr Johnson has declared that his government will add a new clause to the Withdrawal Agreement bill to legally prohibit any extension.
This would increase the chances of important and complex arrangements not being properly addressed and once again raise the prospect of a no deal exit, something that will cause deep unease, particularly within the business community.
This move is being seen as a statement of intent from the new government although it is should not be necessary given its enormous mandate.
Mr Johnson is no longer in thrall to the extreme Tory Brexiteers, has seen off the Brexit party and has control of the parliamentary agenda.
He can afford to be conciliatory, to take on board the concerns of those worried about a disorderly Brexit, a border down the Irish Sea and the impact of regulations and tariffs.
Reports that the amended Withdrawal Agreement may omit safeguards for workers' rights will also cause considerable alarm.
It is understandable that Mr Johnson wants to move ahead with some speed after his election victory but he has a responsibility to proceed with care.
It is not just a matter of 'getting Brexit done' but ensuring it is done right.
