On 24th July 2019 Boris Johnson entered Downing Street. But waiting inside was a lesser-known figure who long harboured a radical vision for the future of the country. Dominic Cummings had led the campaign to take Britain out of the European Union. And it was to him the Prime Minister turned to help shape a vision for a post-Brexit Britain. But Cummings’ controversial career hadn’t sprung from nowhere: it’s a story of over two decades of British politics. Taking Control: The Dominic Cummings Story, BBC 2020
Cummings joined the Euro-sceptic fight as director of research at a pressure group opposing the Euro. ibid.
‘You’re just a young politician on the make.’ ibid. Colin Perry, Euro debate 5 Live radio November 1999
Cummings, who claims never to have belonged to a political party, now sat of the heart of the Tory establishment. ibid.
This is the most dramatic and important democratic decision ever taken by the British people. But it leaves our country deeply divided. The Andrew Marr Show 26 June 2016
This has been the rebellion of the diminished against the cocky, the ignored against the shapers of modern times, and the struggling against the strutting. ibid.
Outside London in deprived areas things can get pretty bleak. This is the country where the Brexit referendum result tipped the scale towards leaving the EU. Working-class country. One wonders what it is they think they’ve gained by Brexit. And an even bigger question is what they’ve genuinely gained. How Did Brexit Happen? VPRO 2020
‘They were answering the question, Are you happy with your life?’ ibid.
This place is meant to be in charge. But with five prime ministers in six years it hasn’t felt that way … What happened to our political system? Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos I, BBC 2023
In this episode not one but two prime ministers removed from office [Cameron & May] as Britain battles with the biggest battle in a generation. ibid.
Brexit: The Civil Service had not expected or prepared for it. ibid.
But Michael Gove had betrayed his running mate forcing Boris Johnson out of the leadership race. ibid.