skynewspolitics--2020-11-12--Radical reformer or 'career psycopath' - how will Cummings be remembered?

As Dominic Cummings bows out of Downing Street , the view of his spell in Number 10 is set to be fiercely debated by his champions and detractors .
The 48-year-old was among Boris Johnson 's first appointments when he became prime minister in July 2019 .
He was already a well-known figure at Westminster due his past as a government special adviser and then the driving force behind the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 EU referendum .
And , while in Number 10 , Mr Cummings went on to gain national notoriety - becoming one of the few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household name - due to the heated row over his mid-lockdown trips to his native North East .
His reputation as a divisive character began in the early 2000s , when he served as director of strategy for the Conservative Party .
On leaving the role , he subsequently branded then Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith as `` incompetent '' , adding he would be a `` worse prime minister than Tony Blair and must be replaced '' .
Mr Cummings later led the successful campaign against Labour 's proposal for an elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before going on to work as a special adviser for Michael Gove .
However , when the Conservatives were elected to power as part of the coalition government in 2010 , Mr Cummings ' employment at Mr Gove 's Department for Education was banned by Andy Coulson , then Downing Street 's director of communications .
Yet , after Mr Coulson resigned amid the News of the World phone-hacking scandal , Mr Cummings became Mr Gove 's chief of staff .
Civil servants made allegations of an `` us-and-them aggressive , intimidating culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cummings quit his role in 2013 in order to open a new free school .
Then prime minister David Cameron later reportedly described Mr Cummings as a `` career psychopath '' .
Ahead of the 2016 EU referendum , Mr Cummings joined the Vote Leave campaign but soon clashed with eurosceptic Tory MPs .
He survived an attempt to oust him from the campaign and was later credited as one of the most influential figures behind Vote Leave 's success under its `` Take Back Control '' slogan .
Hollywood actor Benedict Cumberbatch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drama of the 2016 EU referendum campaign .
In 2018 , Mr Cummings refused to appear before the House of Commons ' digital , culture , media and sport committee as part of their fake news inquiry .
He was called to appear to respond to `` allegations made against the Vote Leave campaign '' during the inquiry and to `` clarify allegations about the unlawful coordination of EU referendum campaigns '' .
But Mr Cummings accused the committee of having `` greater interest in grandstanding than truth-seeking '' .
He was subsequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no-show .
Mr Cummings was a consistent critic of Theresa May 's handling of Brexit and branded her plans for leaving the EU as `` unacceptable bulls*** '' and attacked a `` truck load of c*** ideas '' from the government , who he called `` morons '' .
He also argued against the government 's decision to trigger the Article 50 notification to leave the EU so soon after the 2016 referendum , calling it an `` historic unforgivable blunder '' .
In 2017 , he branded then Brexit secretary David Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a toad , and vain as Narcissus '' .
And , despite being the former chief of the Vote Leave campaign , Mr Cummings was no more polite about the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteer MPs .
He claimed the collective had been `` useful idiots '' for Remain and referred to them as a `` metastasising tumour '' to be `` excised from the UK body politic '' .
After the ERG played a key role in toppling Mrs May , Mr Johnson succeeded her in 10 Downing Street and brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this point that the `` classic Dom '' meme was born across Whitehall , with political observers granting - tongue-in-cheek - Mr Cummings the credit for a grander masterplan as Mr Johnson faced numerous setbacks over Brexit .
These included the attempted prorogation of parliament - a suspension that was later overturned by the Supreme Court , as well as the missing of a `` do or die '' deadline for leaving the EU and the expulsion of 21 Conservative MPs to cost Mr Johnson his Commons majority .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally - got the general election they seemed to have craved and the pair cemented their reputation as serial political winners .
Having teamed up together as part of the Vote Leave campaign , the pair again tasted victory as Mr Johnson led the Tories to a thumping 80-set majority in December 2019 .
The celebrations lasted through to 31 January , when the prime minister belatedly oversaw the UK 's exit from the EU .
Mr Cummings - known for often eschewing a suit and tie - issued a call for `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join him in Downing Street under the Tories ' new majority government , although one of those subsequently employed was soon forced to resign .
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic then saw Mr Johnson 's loyalty to his chief aide come under severe scrutiny .
On 25 May , in what was an unprecedented act for a political adviser , Mr Cummings took his own news conference in an attempt to try and answer questions over his actions during the national lockdown .
He admitted to making a trip from London to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he feared he could have contracted coronavirus , with his wife and child to stay on his father 's farm .
Mr Cummings also explained a later trip to Barnard Castle as a means of testing whether his eyesight was good enough to drive .
Doubt was cast over his claim to have warned of the dangers of pandemics `` for years '' , after it appeared he had used his first day back at work after recovering from the disease to edit a year-old blog post to add a mention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing , Mr Cummings survived the furore over his lockdown actions - alleged to have been a breach of the government 's own COVID-19 restrictions - and remained in Number 10 .
But , since that point , he was said to have moved away from day-to-day concerns and focussed more of his efforts on his passion projects ; such as setting up an advanced defence projects research agency and reforming government procurement processes .

A radical reformer, "career psychopath", omniscient Svengali, serial election winner, or dangerous disruptor?
As Dominic Cummings bows out of Downing Street, the view of his spell in Number 10 is set to be fiercely debated by his champions and detractors.
The 48-year-old was among Boris Johnson's first appointments when he became prime minister in July 2019.
Image: The 48-year-old was one of Boris Johnson's first appointments as prime minister
He was already a well-known figure at Westminster due to his past as a government special adviser and then the driving force behind the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 EU referendum.
And, while in Number 10, Mr Cummings went on to gain national notoriety - becoming one of the few government advisers to have ever become a household name - due to the heated row over his mid-lockdown trip to his native North East.
His reputation as a divisive character began in the early 2000s, when he served as director of strategy for the Conservative Party.
On leaving the role, he subsequently branded then Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith as "incompetent", adding he would be a "worse prime minister than Tony Blair and must be replaced".
Mr Cummings later led the successful campaign against Labour's proposal for an elected regional assembly in the North East, before going on to work as a special adviser for Michael Gove.
However, when the Conservatives were elected to power as part of the coalition government in 2010, Mr Cummings' employment at Mr Gove's Department for Education was banned by Andy Coulson, then Downing Street's director of communications.
Advertisement
Yet, after Mr Coulson resigned amid the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, Mr Cummings became Mr Gove's chief of staff.
Image: Mr Cummings was previously in charge of the Vote Leave campaign
Civil servants made allegations of an "us-and-them aggressive, intimidating culture" under the pair, before Mr Cummings quit his role in 2013 in order to open a new free school.
Then prime minister David Cameron later reportedly described Mr Cummings as a "career psychopath".
Ahead of the 2016 EU referendum, Mr Cummings joined the Vote Leave campaign but soon clashed with eurosceptic Tory MPs.
He survived an attempt to oust him from the campaign and was later credited as one of the most influential figures behind Vote Leave's success under its "Take Back Control" slogan.
Hollywood actor Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed Mr Cummings in a Channel 4 drama of the 2016 EU referendum campaign.
In 2018, Mr Cummings refused to appear before the House of Commons' digital, culture, media and sport committee as part of their fake news inquiry.
He was called to appear to respond to "allegations made against the Vote Leave campaign" during the inquiry and to "clarify allegations about the unlawful coordination of EU referendum campaigns".
But Mr Cummings accused the committee of having "greater interest in grandstanding than truth-seeking".
He was subsequently found in contempt of parliament over his no-show.
Image: He cemented a reputation as a serial election winner after helping to deliver Mr Johnson's 80-strong majority
Mr Cummings was a consistent critic of Theresa May's handling of Brexit and branded her plans for leaving the EU as "unacceptable bulls***" and attacked a "truck load of c*** ideas" from the government, who he called "morons".
He also argued against the government's decision to trigger the Article 50 notification to leave the EU so soon after the 2016 referendum, calling it an "historic unforgivable blunder".
In 2017, he branded then Brexit secretary David Davis "thick as mince, lazy as a toad, and vain as Narcissus".
And, despite being the former chief of the Vote Leave campaign, Mr Cummings was no more polite about the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteer MPs.
He claimed the collective had been "useful idiots" for Remain and referred to them as a "metastasising tumour" to be "excised from the UK body politic".
Image: Mr Cummings was widely-criticised for his mid-lockdown trips
After the ERG played a key role in toppling Mrs May, Mr Johnson succeeded her in 10 Downing Street and brought Mr Cummings with him.
It was at this point that the "classic Dom" meme was born across Whitehall, with political observers granting - tongue-in-cheek - Mr Cummings the credit for a grander masterplan as Mr Johnson faced numerous setbacks over Brexit.
These included the attempted prorogation of parliament - a suspension that was later overturned by the Supreme Court, as well as the missing of a "do or die" deadline for leaving the EU and the expulsion of 21 Conservative MPs to cost Mr Johnson his Commons majority.
However, the prime minister and Mr Cummings then - finally - got the general election they seemed to have craved and the pair cemented their reputation as serial political winners.
Having teamed up together as part of the Vote Leave campaign, the pair again tasted victory as Mr Johnson led the Tories to a thumping 80-seat majority in December 2019.
The celebrations lasted through to 31 January, when the prime minister belatedly oversaw the UK's exit from the EU.
Mr Cummings - known for often eschewing a suit and tie - issued a call for "misfits and weirdos" to apply to join him in Downing Street under the Tories' new majority government, although one of those subsequently employed was soon forced to resign.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 'I behaved reasonably', says Cummings
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic then saw Mr Johnson's loyalty to his chief aide come under severe scrutiny.
On 25 May, in what was an unprecedented act for a political adviser, Mr Cummings took his own news conference in an attempt to try and answer questions over his actions during the national lockdown.
He admitted to making a trip from London to the North East, at a time when he feared he could have contracted coronavirus, with his wife and child to stay on his father's farm.
Mr Cummings also explained a later trip to Barnard Castle as a means of testing whether his eyesight was good enough to drive.
Doubt was cast over his claim to have warned of the dangers of pandemics "for years", after it appeared he had used his first day back at work after recovering from the disease to edit a year-old blog post to add a mention of coronavirus.
With the prime minister's backing, Mr Cummings survived the furore over his lockdown actions - alleged to have been a breach of the government's own COVID-19 restrictions - and remained in Number 10.
But, since that point, he was said to have moved away from day-to-day concerns and focussed more of his efforts on his passion projects; such as setting up an advanced defence projects research agency and reforming government procurement processes.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-12--Corbyn allies tell Starmer to apologise for Brexit stance at last election

Senior allies of Jeremy Corbyn have unleashed a bitter attack on Sir Keir Starmer , claiming he should issue a `` full-throated apology '' for backing a second Brexit referendum at last December 's general election .
Left-wingers Ian Lavery , party chairman under Mr Corbyn , and former shadow cabinet member Jon Trickett - both sacked by Sir Keir when he became leader - claim Labour 's Brexit policy was an electoral disaster .
Their attack comes in a hard-hitting report on Labour 's crushing election defeat , published on the eve of results of elections for the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a left-right battle for control of the party .
Mr Corbyn 's allies have mostly pulled their punches in their criticism of Sir Keir since he became leader in April .
But since Mr Corbyn 's suspension over his antisemitism defiance last month , it appears the gloves are off .
`` Labour got on the wrong side of the Brexit debate , '' the MPs claim in their report , `` No Holding Back '' , co-written with defeated former MP Laura Smith following conversations with party activists and voters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too southern and too middle class .
We do not believe that Labour 's problems in the so-called `` red wall '' areas began and ended with Brexit .
`` Leave voters were too often sneered at and Remain voters were led up the garden path with a position - of overturning the referendum result - that was never seriously achievable .
`` People who had supported Remain were sold a falsehood that not only could the result of the referendum be overturned , but that every version of Brexit was disastrous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior politicians despite there never being a realistic prospect of it happening . ''
In a thinly veiled attack on Sir Keir , who was shadow Brexit secretary under Mr Corbyn and architect of the party 's Brexit policy in the election campaign , the MPs argue : `` Some should have known better .
`` They were right at the centre of the Corbyn project and said that they were agnostic on the question of leave versus remain without ever setting out a credible position based on that .
In the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shift Labour into a remain position fully aware of the consequences . ''
And the left-wing trio are demanding : `` A full-throated apology from Labour to the people for ignoring the democratic principle for which the labour movement has fought for centuries and for treating both sides of the debate with contempt .
`` It is our contention that leading elements in the Labour Party moved us too far in one direction - away from our working class base and towards a more metropolitan middle class .
`` In other words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour for generations , to a more mobile cohort who treat political support like choosing a branded product .
It is a dangerous strategy . ''
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The MPs add : `` We would like to oﬀer some comradely advice to the new leader .
Firstly , he should not bury under the carpet his role in Brexit .
It will come back to bite him and Labour .
Building trust is critical .
`` Secondly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he needs to listen .
Focus groups only tell you what you want to hear .
`` If he did listen , he would hear some of the things that we have heard from working people as we have run the biggest listening project amongst members and trade unionists since the election across the country . ''
And in defence of Mr Corbyn , widely criticised as a turn-off to voters in the election , the MPs argue : `` Some say that Jeremy Corbyn himself was an issue on the doorstep .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership style was unique , and as such created an opportunity for media pundits to go for him repeatedly .
`` The issue of media smear campaigns against Jeremy Corbyn came up a lot in our discussions .
`` Issues around his perceived lack of patriotism , which focused mainly on failing to sing the national anthem , were central to these criticisms . ''

Senior allies of Jeremy Corbyn have unleashed a bitter attack on Sir Keir Starmer, claiming he should issue a "full-throated apology" for backing a second Brexit referendum at last December's general election.
Left-wingers Ian Lavery, party chairman under Mr Corbyn, and former shadow cabinet member Jon Trickett - both sacked by Sir Keir when he became leader - claim Labour's Brexit policy was an electoral disaster.
Their attack comes in a hard-hitting report on Labour's crushing election defeat, published on the eve of results of elections for the party's ruling national executive which have seen a left-right battle for control of the party.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 'I don't want a split in the Labour Party'
Mr Corbyn's allies have mostly pulled their punches in their criticism of Sir Keir since he became leader in April.
But since Mr Corbyn's suspension over his antisemitism defiance last month, it appears the gloves are off.
"Labour got on the wrong side of the Brexit debate," the MPs claim in their report, "No Holding Back", co-written with defeated former MP Laura Smith following conversations with party activists and voters.
"People repeatedly claimed that Labour had become too southern and too middle class. We do not believe that Labour's problems in the so-called "red wall" areas began and ended with Brexit.
"Leave voters were too often sneered at and Remain voters were led up the garden path with a position - of overturning the referendum result - that was never seriously achievable.
"People who had supported Remain were sold a falsehood that not only could the result of the referendum be overturned, but that every version of Brexit was disastrous.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 Corbyn responds to Labour suspension
"This discourse was relentlessly pursued by senior politicians despite there never being a realistic prospect of it happening."
In a thinly veiled attack on Sir Keir, who was shadow Brexit secretary under Mr Corbyn and architect of the party's Brexit policy in the election campaign, the MPs argue: "Some should have known better.
"They were right at the centre of the Corbyn project and said that they were agnostic on the question of leave versus remain without ever setting out a credible position based on that. In the end though, they joined in the pressure to shift Labour into a remain position fully aware of the consequences."
And the left-wing trio are demanding: "A full-throated apology from Labour to the people for ignoring the democratic principle for which the labour movement has fought for centuries and for treating both sides of the debate with contempt.
"It is our contention that leading elements in the Labour Party moved us too far in one direction - away from our working class base and towards a more metropolitan middle class.
"In other words, away from communities that reliably voted Labour for generations, to a more mobile cohort who treat political support like choosing a branded product. It is a dangerous strategy."
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The MPs add: "We would like to oﬀer some comradely advice to the new leader. Firstly, he should not bury under the carpet his role in Brexit. It will come back to bite him and Labour. Building trust is critical.
"Secondly, to win back working people, he needs to listen. Focus groups only tell you what you want to hear.
"If he did listen, he would hear some of the things that we have heard from working people as we have run the biggest listening project amongst members and trade unionists since the election across the country."
And in defence of Mr Corbyn, widely criticised as a turn-off to voters in the election, the MPs argue: "Some say that Jeremy Corbyn himself was an issue on the doorstep.
"It is true that Jeremy's leadership style was unique, and as such created an opportunity for media pundits to go for him repeatedly.
"The issue of media smear campaigns against Jeremy Corbyn came up a lot in our discussions.
"Issues around his perceived lack of patriotism, which focused mainly on failing to sing the national anthem, were central to these criticisms."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-12--Stop thinking MPs working from home are 'shirking' duties, Rees-Mogg told

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been told to stop thinking MPs who are working from home are `` shirking '' their duties .
Conservative MP Tracey Crouch , who revealed in June that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer , called on the Commons leader to `` urgently rethink '' the rules around virtual participation .
Ms Crouch voiced her disappointment at not being able to participate in a Westminster Hall debate on the future of breast cancer services and the impact of COVID-19 on diagnosis .
The MP for the Kent constituency of Chatham and Aylesford , who has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Commons that the rules around virtual participation meant MPs with `` real and current life experience '' of the disease were `` disappointingly unable to participate '' in the debate .
The former minister continued : `` Now , while I respect [ Mr Rees-Mogg 's ] commitment to traditional parliamentary procedures , I 'm sure if he was on the backbenches and not the fine specimen of health and fitness he clearly is , he would be arguing forcefully for members to be able to contribute more often in proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currying favour with you , Mr Speaker [ Sir Lindsay Hoyle ] , by suggesting that not every contribution to a debate requires an intervention .
`` Given that hybrid proceedings have been extended , would he please stop thinking those of us at home are shirking our duties - in fact , quite the opposite - and urgently reconsider virtual participation , even if just for general backbench and Westminster Hall debates . ''
Mr Rees-Mogg said in response that he wished Ms Crouch well and `` I think the whole House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery '' .
`` I think the point with Westminster Hall is that that was brought back at a point at which the broadcasting facilities were already being fully utilised , so it was n't an issue then of whether we wanted to do it or not , it simply was n't an option , and the demand to bring back Westminster Hall was great across all parts of the House , '' he told MPs .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was trying to strike a balance `` between the needs of honourable members and the needs of the House as a whole to proceed with its business '' .
He went on : `` And with debates , we do need to have the proper holding to account of ministers which is the purpose of the debates and to have the interventions that make a debate rather than a series of statements .
`` So it is a question of striking a careful balance in these difficult times between ensuring Parliament can serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that members can complete their duties as safely and as effectively as possible . ''

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been told to stop thinking MPs who are working from home are "shirking" their duties.
Conservative MP Tracey Crouch, who revealed in June that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, called on the Commons leader to "urgently rethink" the rules around virtual participation.
Ms Crouch voiced her disappointment at not being able to participate in a Westminster Hall debate on the future of breast cancer services and the impact of COVID-19 on diagnosis.
Image: Tracey Crouch addresses the Commons remotely
The MP for the Kent constituency of Chatham and Aylesford, who has been working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, told the Commons that the rules around virtual participation meant MPs with "real and current life experience" of the disease were "disappointingly unable to participate" in the debate.
The former minister continued: "Now, while I respect [Mr Rees-Mogg's] commitment to traditional parliamentary procedures, I'm sure if he was on the backbenches and not the fine specimen of health and fitness he clearly is, he would be arguing forcefully for members to be able to contribute more often in proceedings by modern technology.
"Perhaps even currying favour with you, Mr Speaker [Sir Lindsay Hoyle], by suggesting that not every contribution to a debate requires an intervention.
"Given that hybrid proceedings have been extended, would he please stop thinking those of us at home are shirking our duties - in fact, quite the opposite - and urgently reconsider virtual participation, even if just for general backbench and Westminster Hall debates."
Mr Rees-Mogg said in response that he wished Ms Crouch well and "I think the whole House joins me in praying for her swift recovery".
"I think the point with Westminster Hall is that that was brought back at a point at which the broadcasting facilities were already being fully utilised, so it wasn't an issue then of whether we wanted to do it or not, it simply wasn't an option, and the demand to bring back Westminster Hall was great across all parts of the House," he told MPs.
Advertisement
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Rees-Mogg said the government was trying to strike a balance "between the needs of honourable members and the needs of the House as a whole to proceed with its business".
He went on: "And with debates, we do need to have the proper holding to account of ministers which is the purpose of the debates and to have the interventions that make a debate rather than a series of statements.
"So it is a question of striking a careful balance in these difficult times between ensuring Parliament can serve its constituents in full and making sure that members can complete their duties as safely and as effectively as possible."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-12--Special Relationships - inside and outside Number Ten

Adam Boulton and guests assess the fallout from the US Presidential election and examine what the near future holds for @ @ @ @ @ ' with America under a Joe Biden administration .
They also discuss the challenges ahead @ @ @ @ @ during a week in which we have edged closer to vaccine but also marked the @ @ @ @ @ Covid-related deaths in the UK .
Plus , what happened inside Number Ten that forced @ @ @ @ @ to resign .
Joining Adam this week are : The former British ambassador to the @ @ @ @ @ Meyer ; the chief executive of the Demos think-tank , and former special adviser to @ @ @ @ @ ; and Sky 's chief political correspondent Jon Craig .
: : Subscribe to the @ @ @ @ @ Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker

Adam Boulton and guests assess the fallout from the US Presidential election and examine what the near future holds for the UK's 'special relationship' with America under a Joe Biden administration.
They also discuss the challenges ahead on handling the coronavirus pandemic during a week in which we have edged closer to vaccine but also marked the sad milestone of 50 thousand Covid-related deaths in the UK.
Plus, what happened inside Number Ten that forced Boris Johnson's Director Communications to resign.
Joining Adam this week are: The former British ambassador to the United States, Sir Christopher Meyer; the chief executive of the Demos think-tank, and former special adviser to Nick Clegg, Polly Mackenzie; and Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.
:: Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker


skynewspolitics--2020-11-12--Pfizer COVID vaccine faces Brexit risk, UK partner warns

The boss of the British company supplying a crucial ingredient of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has warned that avoiding Brexit border disruption will be `` a crucial step '' in ensuring it is available to millions of people .
Yorkshire-based Croda International has provided a key chemical element of the vaccine to Pfizer in the trial phase , and has won a five-year contract that will see it deliver materials for 1.3 billion doses next year alone , worth around £75m .
Distributing the doses is a huge challenge and , deal or no-deal , the UK will have new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government warning of border delays of up to 48 hours , Croda 's chief executive Steve Foots told Sky News that Brexit poses a risk .
`` The worry of course , the last thing we need , is a problem with a lack of an agreement , and you 've got friction at the borders , and I 'm sure the UK government are acutely aware of this , '' he said .
`` We must make sure that the vaccine does n't have any problems getting into the UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the practical issues of refrigerant technologies and everything else .
They could be products that are needed for the UK that are sourced abroad , so making sure that we are free from friction at the borders is is a crucial step for the vaccine . ''
The warning comes 50 days before the Brexit transition period ends and with negotiations continuing on key areas to unlock a trade deal .
The government said on Thursday it was launching a task force to help business prepare , a move met with some scepticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Downing Street news conference , Business Secretary Alok Sharma repeatedly failed to rule out the prospect of the supply of a vaccine being affected by Brexit border disruption .
`` This is an issue ... across many sectors but that is precisely why we have been investing hundreds of millions of pounds in terms of border infrastructure , and we 've been investing in grants for customs intermediaries , '' he said .
`` It 's why we are making a very big effort to communicate with businesses to make sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get customs clearances done .
`` All of that work is ongoing .
If we all get prepared , we will be in absolutely the right place post-transition . ''
Croda has been working on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine trial since its inception , using technology developed by its US subsidiary Avanti which will be mass produced in the UK and America .
It produces polar lipids , material that acts as the 'excipient ' or delivery mechanism for the active ingredient in the vaccine , helping ensure it is as stable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the initial results , Mr Foots said that scaling up production from a 40,000-strong trial to produce and distribute 1.3 billion doses next year poses a major challenge .
`` The public statements from Pfizer will tell you that they 're not there yet , there 's the safety clearance , which comes in November , hopefully , and then the big job through innovation is to scale up through the supply chain , '' he said .
`` We definitely have the quantities available for next year 's vaccine for Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses , and we 're ready to be able to supply that .
`` But our mind is beyond next year and making sure we 've got insurance in the supply chain to scale this up further , so we 're investing heavily in our units and factories running the UK , and one in the US . ''
Croda was founded in Yorkshire 95 years ago and is still based in the East Riding .
It began life producing lanolin , extracted from sheep wool , and supplies chemicals to household name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmaceuticals and healthcare .
Mr Foot said its involvement in the COVID-19 vaccine was a proud moment for staff .
`` We 're a proud organisation with strong roots , we 're quite low profile , we keep our feet on the ground , but to see this come through this week , people are walking with their chests puffed out and a smile on their faces , '' he said .
`` There 's a flurry of emails from around the world , with people really proud to be involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a fantastic opportunity . ''

The boss of the British company supplying a crucial ingredient of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has warned that avoiding Brexit border disruption will be "a crucial step" in ensuring it is available to millions of people.
Yorkshire-based Croda International has provided a key chemical element of the vaccine to Pfizer in the trial phase, and has won a five-year contract that will see it deliver materials for 1.3 billion doses next year alone, worth around £75m.
Distributing the doses is a huge challenge and, deal or no-deal, the UK will have new customs controls from 1 January.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:15 Frictionless border 'crucial for the vaccine'
With the government warning of border delays of up to 48 hours, Croda's chief executive Steve Foots told Sky News that Brexit poses a risk.
"The worry of course, the last thing we need, is a problem with a lack of an agreement, and you've got friction at the borders, and I'm sure the UK government are acutely aware of this," he said.
"We must make sure that the vaccine doesn't have any problems getting into the UK, into the supply chain, or even the practical issues of refrigerant technologies and everything else. They could be products that are needed for the UK that are sourced abroad, so making sure that we are free from friction at the borders is is a crucial step for the vaccine."
The warning comes 50 days before the Brexit transition period ends and with negotiations continuing on key areas to unlock a trade deal.
The government said on Thursday it was launching a task force to help business prepare, a move met with some scepticism given the looming deadline.
Questioned at a Downing Street news conference, Business Secretary Alok Sharma repeatedly failed to rule out the prospect of the supply of a vaccine being affected by Brexit border disruption.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:26 Vaccine inventor: December rollout 'possible'
"This is an issue... across many sectors but that is precisely why we have been investing hundreds of millions of pounds in terms of border infrastructure, and we've been investing in grants for customs intermediaries," he said.
"It's why we are making a very big effort to communicate with businesses to make sure that they are ready, so that they can get customs clearances done.
"All of that work is ongoing. If we all get prepared, we will be in absolutely the right place post-transition."
Croda has been working on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine trial since its inception, using technology developed by its US subsidiary Avanti which will be mass produced in the UK and America.
It produces polar lipids, material that acts as the 'excipient' or delivery mechanism for the active ingredient in the vaccine, helping ensure it is as stable and effective as possible.
Following the success of the initial results, Mr Foots said that scaling up production from a 40,000-strong trial to produce and distribute 1.3 billion doses next year poses a major challenge.
"The public statements from Pfizer will tell you that they're not there yet, there's the safety clearance, which comes in November, hopefully, and then the big job through innovation is to scale up through the supply chain," he said.
"We definitely have the quantities available for next year's vaccine for Pfizer, they're talking about 1.3 billion doses, and we're ready to be able to supply that.
"But our mind is beyond next year and making sure we've got insurance in the supply chain to scale this up further, so we're investing heavily in our units and factories running the UK, and one in the US."
Croda was founded in Yorkshire 95 years ago and is still based in the East Riding.
It began life producing lanolin, extracted from sheep wool, and supplies chemicals to household name cosmetics companies as well as those in pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
Mr Foot said its involvement in the COVID-19 vaccine was a proud moment for staff.
"We're a proud organisation with strong roots, we're quite low profile, we keep our feet on the ground, but to see this come through this week, people are walking with their chests puffed out and a smile on their faces," he said.
"There's a flurry of emails from around the world, with people really proud to be involved in the biggest health issue of our time. It's a fantastic opportunity."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-12--'He'll be missed': Dominic Cummings to leave role as PM's chief adviser by end of the year

Dominic Cummings is to leave his role as the prime minister 's chief adviser by the end of the year .
A Downing Street source said on Thursday night the controversial aide will exit Number 10 , having been one of Boris Johnson 's first appointments when he became PM last July .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the news the next morning , saying the move will coincide with the post-Brexit transition period ending on 31 December 2020 .
`` He 'll be missed ... but advisers come and go , '' the cabinet minister told Sky News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who are going to shake things up and come up with ideas , and he 's actually been that person . ''
In a blog post in January , Mr Cummings revealed he planned to leave his role by the end of the year , saying he hoped to make himself `` largely redundant '' by then .
But news of his expected departure comes after a bitter power struggle behind the scenes in Downing Street - something that is likely to have hastened his decision .
The row came to light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lee Cain as the prime minister 's director of communications .
Mr Cummings and Mr Cain both worked with Mr Johnson as part of the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 EU referendum .
They are widely regarded to have since led a Vote Leave faction of colleagues in Number 10 and other parts of government .
But their departures follow the appointment of former journalist Allegra Stratton as Downing Street 's new TV spokeswoman , which was said to have been opposed by Mr Cain .
The infighting spilling into the open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tory backbencher Sir Roger Gale said Mr Cummings had `` become a distraction '' and a `` malign influence at the centre of Downing Street for too long '' , telling Sky News : `` It 's right that he should go . ''
While another Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood told Sky News : `` Let 's move a little bit away from EastEnders and more to the West Wing . ''
Mr Shapps tried to do so by dismissing Mr Cummings ' departure , saying `` things move on '' and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues like a coronavirus vaccine are `` vastly more important '' .
When Sky News asked him if imported vaccines could be hindered by a no trade deal divorce with the EU , which could threaten delays in supply chains at the border , Mr Shapps vowed : `` We 'll make sure we have those . ''
The prime minister 's official spokesman James Slack , who will replace Mr Cain when he departs in the new year , has also insisted Mr Johnson is not being distracted from the national crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've seen from the prime minister this week that he 's absolutely focused on taking all the steps that are required to equip the country to beat coronavirus , '' he said .
Another Downing Street spokesman on Friday insisted Mr Cummings ' departure would not lead to a softening of approach in negotiations with the EU for a trade deal , saying the government 's position `` is not changed '' .
Mr Cummings - once reportedly described by former prime minister David Cameron as a `` career psychopath '' - is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ex-aide to senior cabinet minister Michael Gove .
He was credited as one of the most influential figures behind Vote Leave 's success under its `` take back control '' slogan .
As part of Mr Johnson 's top team , Mr Cummings helped secure last year 's thumping general election victory for the Conservative Party .
He was said to have subsequently focused on projects such as setting up an advanced defence projects research agency and reforming government procurement processes .
Mr Cummings gained national notoriety this year when he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trip from London to the North East , at a time when he feared he could have contracted coronavirus .
He also admitted to having driven to Barnard Castle in Teesdale , County Durham , as a means of testing his eyesight .
Despite huge pressure for Mr Johnson to sack his senior aide , the prime minister stood by Mr Cummings .
During his time in Number 10 , Mr Cummings called for `` misfits and weirdos '' to apply for jobs in Downing Street .
One of those subsequently employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergence of past online comments .
Analysis : Many Tories will be happy - but not the PM By chief political correspondent Jon Craig It looks as if Dominic Cummings 's departure will coincide with the departure of his longstanding Vote Leave ally Lee Cain .
Mr Cummings is letting it be known that back in January of this year he said he 'd been gone in a year or so .
In the blog he wrote about hiring `` weirdos and misfits '' , he talked about wanting to improve performance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a year .
But his departure appears to have been accelerated by the events of the past 48 hours which have changed things dramatically .
In the last couple of days we have seen Mr Cain on the verge of being appointed as the prime minister 's chief of staff only for a huge backlash from the Mr Johnson 's fiancé and his new spokesperson Allegra Stratton .
The offer then appears to have been withdrawn , which has clearly enormously upset Mr Cummings .
When he arrived at No 10 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Stratton looked like the cat who 'd got the cream .
What a dramatic turn of events at the very top of politics .
Many Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers , who regard Mr Cummings as a malign influence , will be delighted .
Not so the Prime Minister .

Dominic Cummings is to leave his role as the prime minister's chief adviser by the end of the year.
A Downing Street source said on Thursday night the controversial aide will exit Number 10, having been one of Boris Johnson's first appointments when he became PM last July.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the news the next morning, saying the move will coincide with the post-Brexit transition period ending on 31 December 2020.
"He'll be missed... but advisers come and go," the cabinet minister told Sky News.
"In any government, you require people who are going to shake things up and come up with ideas, and he's actually been that person."
Image: Mr Cummings worked with Mr Johnson as part of the Vote Leave campaign
In a blog post in January, Mr Cummings revealed he planned to leave his role by the end of the year, saying he hoped to make himself "largely redundant" by then.
But news of his expected departure comes after a bitter power struggle behind the scenes in Downing Street - something that is likely to have hastened his decision.
The row came to light with the resignation of his close ally Lee Cain as the prime minister's director of communications.
Mr Cummings and Mr Cain both worked with Mr Johnson as part of the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 EU referendum.
Advertisement
They are widely regarded to have since led a Vote Leave faction of colleagues in Number 10 and other parts of government.
But their departures follow the appointment of former journalist Allegra Stratton as Downing Street's new TV spokeswoman, which was said to have been opposed by Mr Cain.
The infighting spilling into the open has sparked criticism from Conservative MPs.
Tory backbencher Sir Roger Gale said Mr Cummings had "become a distraction" and a "malign influence at the centre of Downing Street for too long", telling Sky News: "It's right that he should go."
While another Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood told Sky News: "Let's move a little bit away from EastEnders and more to the West Wing."
Mr Shapps tried to do so by dismissing Mr Cummings' departure, saying "things move on" and that in the "real world" other issues like a coronavirus vaccine are "vastly more important".
When Sky News asked him if imported vaccines could be hindered by a no trade deal divorce with the EU, which could threaten delays in supply chains at the border, Mr Shapps vowed: "We'll make sure we have those."
The prime minister's official spokesman James Slack, who will replace Mr Cain when he departs in the new year, has also insisted Mr Johnson is not being distracted from the national crisis by the bitter row.
"You've seen from the prime minister this week that he's absolutely focused on taking all the steps that are required to equip the country to beat coronavirus," he said.
Another Downing Street spokesman on Friday insisted Mr Cummings' departure would not lead to a softening of approach in negotiations with the EU for a trade deal, saying the government's position "is not changed".
Image: The news comes after the resignation of his close ally Lee Cain as the prime minister's director of communications
Mr Cummings - once reportedly described by former prime minister David Cameron as a "career psychopath" - is a former Conservative Party director of strategy and ex-aide to senior cabinet minister Michael Gove.
He was credited as one of the most influential figures behind Vote Leave's success under its "take back control" slogan.
As part of Mr Johnson's top team, Mr Cummings helped secure last year's thumping general election victory for the Conservative Party.
He was said to have subsequently focused on projects such as setting up an advanced defence projects research agency and reforming government procurement processes.
Mr Cummings gained national notoriety this year when he was accused of breaching lockdown rules by making a trip from London to the North East, at a time when he feared he could have contracted coronavirus.
He also admitted to having driven to Barnard Castle in Teesdale, County Durham, as a means of testing his eyesight.
Despite huge pressure for Mr Johnson to sack his senior aide, the prime minister stood by Mr Cummings.
During his time in Number 10, Mr Cummings called for "misfits and weirdos" to apply for jobs in Downing Street.
One of those subsequently employed was soon forced to resign following the emergence of past online comments.
Analysis: Many Tories will be happy - but not the PM
By chief political correspondent Jon Craig
It looks as if Dominic Cummings's departure will coincide with the departure of his longstanding Vote Leave ally Lee Cain. Mr Cummings is letting it be known that back in January of this year he said he'd been gone in a year or so.
In the blog he wrote about hiring "weirdos and misfits", he talked about wanting to improve performance and make his role "largely redundant" within a year.
But his departure appears to have been accelerated by the events of the past 48 hours which have changed things dramatically.
In the last couple of days we have seen Mr Cain on the verge of being appointed as the prime minister's chief of staff only for a huge backlash from the Mr Johnson's fiancé and his new spokesperson Allegra Stratton.
The offer then appears to have been withdrawn, which has clearly enormously upset Mr Cummings. When he arrived at No 10 on Thursday morning he looked miserable, while Ms Stratton looked like the cat who'd got the cream.
What a dramatic turn of events at the very top of politics. Many Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers, who regard Mr Cummings as a malign influence, will be delighted. Not so the Prime Minister.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-13--Cummings may be leaving Johnson's side, but his impact on UK will be felt long after he's gone

When the UK fully leaves the European Union on 31 December - the shape of that trade deal or no deal to be decided in the coming days - the man who was so instrumental in making Brexit happen will be leaving too .
Dominic Cummings , the prime minister 's chief adviser , was the architect of the Vote Leave campaign that won the 2016 referendum and then returned to Downing Street in 2019 to drive through Boris Johnson 's Brexit deal .
It was Mr Cummings who masterminded the `` Oven Ready Brexit '' general election win that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thatcher years .
While he is leaving Downing Street , his impact on Britain will be felt long after he 's gone .
But while Mr Cummings has played a vital role in this country 's Brexit journey , his unparalleled power and brutal way of doing politics - ( remember the expulsion of 21 Conservative MPs including former chancellors Sir Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond at the height of the Brexit wars ? )
- has over time corroded Mr Johnson 's relationship with his party , with Whitehall and the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister 's relationship with the public too after that mid-lockdown trip to Durham which resulted in national scandal and Mr Cummings becoming a household name , for all the wrong reasons .
The prime minister expended a huge amount of political capital saving an adviser that many of his own MPs and members of the public believed should go .
If the rot set in around the Durham and Barnard Castle debacle , the leaks over the second lockdown , U-turns and policy failures over COVID , wrapped up in an abrasive style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The PM is the best analyst there is , he sees the problems , '' is how one Number 10 insider put it to me this week on the changing of personnel at the heart of the Number 10 operation .
`` The PM wants to change the mood . ''
Out with the confrontational style and back to a more conventional , conciliatory Number 10 .
The big question is how will this change the emphasis of the Johnson administration and his policy goals ?
One figure tells me there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unit with talk of the PM 's current policy chief , Munira Mirza , moving to the House of Lords and being replaced with a new face - names mentioned include MP and former head of Policy Exchange Neil O'Brien , adviser Henry Newman or perhaps even Oliver Lewis .
The PM is also keen to improve the links between the policy unit and the parliamentary party - something MPs will no doubt welcome .
These shifts are part of a wider push within Downing Street to dial down the `` culture wars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - be it on Brexit , reform of the BBC and wider media wars , or trans issues .
`` He wants to focus more on the issues that matter to him , '' says one person inside Number 10 .
`` The environment , the welfare of women and girls , big infrastructure and crime . ''
The most immediate and critical policy decision the PM faces is whether to strike a free trade deal with the EU before the transition period ends on 31 December .
Lord Frost , Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' about the departure of his friend Mr Cain and briefly considered resigning but is staying on to see out the talks , which have stalled in the past week as the deadline for a deal slips further into November .
Number 10 has insisted that the Biden win has not affected their negotiating strategy but cabinet sources believe the shift in power has changed the impetus for getting a deal and maintaining a harmonious relationship with the EU .
No Deal without Trump in the White House suddenly seems very much against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain .
Beyond Brexit , the PM 's policy of levelling up will be recast as `` Building Back Better '' - the question is whether he can put a new team around him that will attack his policy goals with the fervour and determination of Mr Cummings and Mr Cain .
: : Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker That agenda will be , in part , taken on by the PM 's new press secretary Allegra Stratton , who allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having spent years reporting from around the country as ITV 's national editor before moving into government .
A year that has brought us the most severe global pandemic in living memory and will be punctuated with Brexit , the biggest shift in Britain 's foreign policy in decades ; it ends with the prime minister deciding he needs a reset .
Mr Johnson is sometimes accused of dithering but this week he has been anything but , deciding that the two advisers who were once his best assets are now liabilities instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new era for Mr Johnson 's Number 10 .

When the UK fully leaves the European Union on 31 December - the shape of that trade deal or no deal to be decided in the coming days - the man who was so instrumental in making Brexit happen will have long gone.
Dominic Cummings, the prime minister's chief adviser, was the architect of the Vote Leave campaign that won the 2016 referendum and then returned to Downing Street in 2019 to drive through Boris Johnson's Brexit deal.
It was Mr Cummings who masterminded the "Oven Ready Brexit" general election win that delivered the biggest Conservative majority since the Thatcher years.
While he is leaving Downing Street, his impact on Britain will be felt for many years to come.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 The prime minister's chief adviser is seen departing from Downing Street at the end of the week when there was a shake-up behind the scenes.
But while Mr Cummings has played a vital role in this country's Brexit journey, his unparalleled power and brutal way of doing politics - (remember the expulsion of 21 Conservative MPs including former chancellors Sir Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond at the height of the Brexit wars?) - has over time corroded Mr Johnson's relationship with his party, with Whitehall and the media.
Mr Cummings badly damaged the prime minister's relationship with the public too after that mid-lockdown trip to Durham which resulted in national scandal and Mr Cummings becoming a household name, for all the wrong reasons.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 12:12 'He'll be missed' - Cummings to leave No 10
The prime minister expended a huge amount of political capital saving an adviser that many of his own MPs and members of the public believed should go.
If the rot set in around the Durham and Barnard Castle debacle, the leaks over the second lockdown, U-turns and policy failures over COVID, wrapped up in an abrasive style of operating have finally proved fatal.
"The PM is the best analyst there is, he sees the problems," is how one Number 10 insider put it to me this week on the changing of personnel at the heart of the Number 10 operation. "The PM wants to change the mood."
Advertisement
Out with the confrontational style and back to a more conventional, conciliatory Number 10. The big question is how will this change the emphasis of the Johnson administration and his policy goals?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Cummings 'would always ask why' - Shapps
One figure tells me there are conversations taking place about reshaping the Policy Unit with talk of the PM's current policy chief, Munira Mirza, moving to the House of Lords and being replaced with a new face - names mentioned include MP and former head of Policy Exchange Neil O'Brien, adviser Henry Newman or perhaps even Oliver Lewis.
The PM is also keen to improve the links between the policy unit and the parliamentary party - something MPs will no doubt welcome.
These shifts are part of a wider push within Downing Street to dial down the "culture wars" that has characterised this Number 10 - be it on Brexit, reform of the BBC and wider media wars, or trans issues.
"He wants to focus more on the issues that matter to him," says one person inside Number 10. "The environment, the welfare of women and girls, big infrastructure and crime."
The most immediate and critical policy decision the PM faces is whether to strike a free trade deal with the EU before the transition period ends on 31 December.
Lord Frost, Britain's chief negotiator, was "very unhappy" about the departure of his friend Mr Cain and briefly considered resigning but is staying on to see out the talks, which have stalled in the past week as the deadline for a deal slips further into November.
Number 10 has insisted that the Biden win has not affected their negotiating strategy but cabinet sources believe the shift in power has changed the impetus for getting a deal and maintaining a harmonious relationship with the EU.
No Deal without Trump in the White House suddenly seems very much against the zeitgeist and global interests of Great Britain.
Beyond Brexit, the PM's policy of levelling up will be recast as "Building Back Better" - the question is whether he can put a new team around him that will attack his policy goals with the fervour and determination of Mr Cummings and Mr Cain.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
That agenda will be, in part, taken on by the PM's new press secretary Allegra Stratton, who allies say cares too about this agenda, having spent years reporting from around the country as ITV's national editor before moving into government.
A year that has brought us the most severe global pandemic in living memory and will be punctuated with Brexit, the biggest shift in Britain's foreign policy in decades; it ends with the prime minister deciding he needs a reset.
Mr Johnson is sometimes accused of dithering but this week he has been anything but, deciding that the two advisers who were once his best assets are now liabilities instead.
A new year will usher in a new era for Mr Johnson's Number 10.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-12--Radical reformer or 'career psychopath' - how will Cummings be remembered?

As Dominic Cummings bows out of Downing Street , the view of his spell in Number 10 is set to be fiercely debated by his champions and detractors .
The 48-year-old was among Boris Johnson 's first appointments when he became prime minister in July 2019 .
He was already a well-known figure at Westminster due to his past as a government special adviser and then the driving force behind the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 EU referendum .
And , while in Number 10 , Mr Cummings went on to gain national notoriety - becoming one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a household name - due to the heated row over his mid-lockdown trip to his native North East .
His reputation as a divisive character began in the early 2000s , when he served as director of strategy for the Conservative Party .
On leaving the role , he subsequently branded then Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith as `` incompetent '' , adding he would be a `` worse prime minister than Tony Blair and must be replaced '' .
Mr Cummings later led the successful campaign against Labour 's proposal for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before going on to work as a special adviser for Michael Gove .
However , when the Conservatives were elected to power as part of the coalition government in 2010 , Mr Cummings ' employment at Mr Gove 's Department for Education was banned by Andy Coulson , then Downing Street 's director of communications .
Yet , after Mr Coulson resigned amid the News of the World phone-hacking scandal , Mr Cummings became Mr Gove 's chief of staff .
Civil servants made allegations of an `` us-and-them aggressive , intimidating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Cummings quit his role in 2013 in order to open a new free school .
Then prime minister David Cameron later reportedly described Mr Cummings as a `` career psychopath '' .
Ahead of the 2016 EU referendum , Mr Cummings joined the Vote Leave campaign but soon clashed with eurosceptic Tory MPs .
He survived an attempt to oust him from the campaign and was later credited as one of the most influential figures behind Vote Leave 's success under its `` Take Back Control '' slogan .
Hollywood actor Benedict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 drama of the 2016 EU referendum campaign .
In 2018 , Mr Cummings refused to appear before the House of Commons ' digital , culture , media and sport committee as part of their fake news inquiry .
He was called to appear to respond to `` allegations made against the Vote Leave campaign '' during the inquiry and to `` clarify allegations about the unlawful coordination of EU referendum campaigns '' .
But Mr Cummings accused the committee of having `` greater interest in grandstanding than truth-seeking '' .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his no-show .
Mr Cummings was a consistent critic of Theresa May 's handling of Brexit and branded her plans for leaving the EU as `` unacceptable bulls*** '' and attacked a `` truck load of c*** ideas '' from the government , who he called `` morons '' .
He also argued against the government 's decision to trigger the Article 50 notification to leave the EU so soon after the 2016 referendum , calling it an `` historic unforgivable blunder '' .
In 2017 , he branded then Brexit secretary David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a toad , and vain as Narcissus '' .
And , despite being the former chief of the Vote Leave campaign , Mr Cummings was no more polite about the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteer MPs .
He claimed the collective had been `` useful idiots '' for Remain and referred to them as a `` metastasising tumour '' to be `` excised from the UK body politic '' .
After the ERG played a key role in toppling Mrs May , Mr Johnson succeeded her in 10 Downing Street and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was at this point that the `` classic Dom '' meme was born across Whitehall , with political observers granting - tongue-in-cheek - Mr Cummings the credit for a grander masterplan as Mr Johnson faced numerous setbacks over Brexit .
These included the attempted prorogation of parliament - a suspension that was later overturned by the Supreme Court , as well as the missing of a `` do or die '' deadline for leaving the EU and the expulsion of 21 Conservative MPs to cost Mr Johnson his Commons majority .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - finally - got the general election they seemed to have craved and the pair cemented their reputation as serial political winners .
Having teamed up together as part of the Vote Leave campaign , the pair again tasted victory as Mr Johnson led the Tories to a thumping 80-seat majority in December 2019 .
The celebrations lasted through to 31 January , when the prime minister belatedly oversaw the UK 's exit from the EU .
Mr Cummings - known for often eschewing a suit and tie - issued a call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to join him in Downing Street under the Tories ' new majority government , although one of those subsequently employed was soon forced to resign .
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic then saw Mr Johnson 's loyalty to his chief aide come under severe scrutiny .
On 25 May , in what was an unprecedented act for a political adviser , Mr Cummings took his own news conference in an attempt to try and answer questions over his actions during the national lockdown .
He admitted to making a trip from London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when he feared he could have contracted coronavirus , with his wife and child to stay on his father 's farm .
Mr Cummings also explained a later trip to Barnard Castle as a means of testing whether his eyesight was good enough to drive .
Doubt was cast over his claim to have warned of the dangers of pandemics `` for years '' , after it appeared he had used his first day back at work after recovering from the disease to edit a year-old blog post to add a mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's backing , Mr Cummings survived the furore over his lockdown actions - alleged to have been a breach of the government 's own COVID-19 restrictions - and remained in Number 10 .
But , since that point , he was said to have moved away from day-to-day concerns and focussed more of his efforts on his passion projects ; such as setting up an advanced defence projects research agency and reforming government procurement processes .


skynewspolitics--2020-11-14--Dominic Cummings leaves Number 10 amid claims of confrontation with 'livid' PM

Boris Johnson 's right-hand man Dominic Cummings has left Downing Street after a power struggle that has rocked the prime minister 's administration .
Mr Johnson 's senior advisor exited Number 10 carrying a large box on Friday evening following a bitter dispute which also led to the resignation of Mr Cummings ' fellow Vote Leave veteran Lee Cain as communications chief .
The dramatic events come ahead of crucial Brexit talks with Brussels with the transition period deadline of 31 December looming .
Sky presenter Sophy Ridge said : `` It is incredible to take a step back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - a week that could have profound consequences for the future of the UK and Europe - the prime minister has lost two of his most important aides and been distracted by one of the most vicious Downing Street battles that Westminster watchers can remember .
`` What 's clear is that this marks a pivotal moment for Boris Johnson .
`` The battle of the last week has seen the old guard burned to the ground - what we do n't know is what will emerge from the ashes . ''
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` shouty '' confrontation between Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings over the ousting of Mr Cain and that a `` livid '' prime minister wanted both out `` sooner rather than later '' .
Some reports suggested Mr Cummings has quit his post with immediate effect , while others suggest he and Mr Cain will be employed until mid-December .
A number of Conservative backbenchers have urged Number 10 to use this as an opportunity to restore several important values within the party .
Senior Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trust '' to the relationship , elements which had been `` lacking in recent months '' .
The Daily Telegraph said tensions within Number 10 were running high , with Mr Cummings accused of briefing against the prime minister .
The newspaper reported Mr Cummings was said to have told colleagues Mr Johnson was `` indecisive '' and that he and Mr Cain relied on Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove for clarity .
It was also suggested the PM was angered by claims a faction headed by Mr Cummings and Mr Cain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his fiancee Carrie Symonds .
Meanwhile , shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth highlighted the strain being heaped on the NHS and the public by COVID-19 while `` Downing Street is paralysed by the soap opera of these self-indulgent spin doctors '' .
The prime minister 's official spokesman , James Slack , who will replace Mr Cain in the new year , insisted Mr Johnson is not being distracted from the national crisis by the row .
`` What the prime minister and the government are focused upon is taking every possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , '' he said .

Boris Johnson's right-hand man Dominic Cummings has left Downing Street after a power struggle that has rocked the prime minister's administration.
Mr Johnson's senior advisor exited Number 10 carrying a large box on Friday evening following a bitter dispute which also led to the resignation of Mr Cummings' fellow Vote Leave veteran Lee Cain as communications chief.
The dramatic events come ahead of crucial Brexit talks with Brussels with the transition period deadline of 31 December looming.
Image: Mr Cummings and Lee Cain (R) are close allies
Sky presenter Sophy Ridge said: "It is incredible to take a step back and think that at such a critical moment - a week that could have profound consequences for the future of the UK and Europe - the prime minister has lost two of his most important aides and been distracted by one of the most vicious Downing Street battles that Westminster watchers can remember.
"What's clear is that this marks a pivotal moment for Boris Johnson.
"The battle of the last week has seen the old guard burned to the ground - what we don't know is what will emerge from the ashes."
Meanwhile, The Sun reported there was a "shouty" confrontation between Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings over the ousting of Mr Cain and that a "livid" prime minister wanted both out "sooner rather than later".
Some reports suggested Mr Cummings has quit his post with immediate effect, while others suggest he and Mr Cain will be employed until mid-December.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 'Any regrets?' Cummings leaves home after Downing St exit
A number of Conservative backbenchers have urged Number 10 to use this as an opportunity to restore several important values within the party.
Advertisement
Senior Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said it was time to restore "respect, integrity and trust" to the relationship, elements which had been "lacking in recent months".
The Daily Telegraph said tensions within Number 10 were running high, with Mr Cummings accused of briefing against the prime minister.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Monsters, liars: The battle for power at No10
The newspaper reported Mr Cummings was said to have told colleagues Mr Johnson was "indecisive" and that he and Mr Cain relied on Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove for clarity.
It was also suggested the PM was angered by claims a faction headed by Mr Cummings and Mr Cain had been "briefing against him" and his fiancee Carrie Symonds.
Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth highlighted the strain being heaped on the NHS and the public by COVID-19 while "Downing Street is paralysed by the soap opera of these self-indulgent spin doctors".
The prime minister's official spokesman, James Slack, who will replace Mr Cain in the new year, insisted Mr Johnson is not being distracted from the national crisis by the row.
"What the prime minister and the government are focused upon is taking every possible step to get this country through the coronavirus pandemic," he said.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-13--Downing Street meltdown leaves vacuum of power as Brexit talks reach climax

Politics is a brutal business , but the last week has surpassed even Westminster 's savage standards .
I understand it was Boris Johnson himself who asked Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain to leave Downing Street .
Not at Christmas .
Not in the New Year - but right now .
Remember , just two days earlier the prime minister put out a statement saying Cain has been `` a true ally and friend '' , adding : `` I am very glad that he will remain director of communications until the new year . ''
After the toxic atmosphere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bitter briefing war between the two camps - the prime minister was perhaps left with no choice but to ask the two men to leave straight away .
But it 's still a very sudden departure for the two Vote Leave veterans .
Cain was the prime minister 's longest standing aide - sticking with him when Johnson resigned as foreign secretary in Theresa May 's government to return to the backbenchers .
Cummings was once seen as so irreplaceable that the PM spent great political capital keeping him on despite public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is irreplaceable no longer .
It 's easy to dismiss this story as Westminster gossip and tittle tattle - but this is far more profound than that and could have real implications for the UK .
The backstage meltdown leaves a vacuum of power and the chief of staff role feels more important than ever .
Johnson has appointed Sir Eddie Lister as interim chief of staff - a man he trusts having known him for a long time who is seen as a steadying pair of hands .
But he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he took power - and the bitter turf wars have happened anyway .
Plus , he 's expected to leave Number 10 at some point next year - which merely postpones the critical decision as to who will be the PM 's gatekeeper and right-hand man ( or woman ) .
The timing of the meltdown is also significant .
Brexit talks are reaching a climax .
Simon Coveney , Ireland 's foreign minister , said that what happens next week is `` crucial '' .
He added : `` If we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week , I think we have real problems . ''
It is incredible to take a step back and think that at such a critical moment - a week that could have profound consequences for the future of the UK and Europe - the prime minister has lost two of his most important aides and been distracted by one of the most vicious Downing Street battles that Westminster-watchers can remember .
What 's clear is that this marks a pivotal moment for Boris Johnson .
The battle of the last week has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground - what we do n't know is what will emerge from the ashes .

Politics is a brutal business, but the last week has surpassed even Westminster's savage standards.
I understand it was Boris Johnson himself who asked Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain to leave Downing Street. Not at Christmas. Not in the New Year - but right now.
Remember, just two days earlier the prime minister put out a statement saying Cain has been "a true ally and friend", adding: "I am very glad that he will remain director of communications until the new year."
Image: Cummings leaves 10 Downing Street with a box on Friday night
After the toxic atmosphere of the last few days - and a bitter briefing war between the two camps - the prime minister was perhaps left with no choice but to ask the two men to leave straight away.
But it's still a very sudden departure for the two Vote Leave veterans.
Cain was the prime minister's longest standing aide - sticking with him when Johnson resigned as foreign secretary in Theresa May's government to return to the backbenchers.
Cummings was once seen as so irreplaceable that the PM spent great political capital keeping him on despite public anger over the Barnard Castle scandal. He is irreplaceable no longer.
It's easy to dismiss this story as Westminster gossip and tittle tattle - but this is far more profound than that and could have real implications for the UK.
The backstage meltdown leaves a vacuum of power and the chief of staff role feels more important than ever.
Advertisement
Johnson has appointed Sir Eddie Lister as interim chief of staff - a man he trusts having known him for a long time who is seen as a steadying pair of hands.
Image: Communication director Lee Cain also quit this week
But he has been working for the prime minister since he took power - and the bitter turf wars have happened anyway.
Plus, he's expected to leave Number 10 at some point next year - which merely postpones the critical decision as to who will be the PM's gatekeeper and right-hand man (or woman).
The timing of the meltdown is also significant. Brexit talks are reaching a climax.
Simon Coveney, Ireland's foreign minister, said that what happens next week is "crucial".
He added: "If we don't have a deal at some point next week, I think we have real problems."
It is incredible to take a step back and think that at such a critical moment - a week that could have profound consequences for the future of the UK and Europe - the prime minister has lost two of his most important aides and been distracted by one of the most vicious Downing Street battles that Westminster-watchers can remember.
What's clear is that this marks a pivotal moment for Boris Johnson.
The battle of the last week has seen the old guard burned to the ground - what we don't know is what will emerge from the ashes.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-13--Dominic Cummings: Reaction to departure of PM's top adviser

Politicians from all sides have welcomed the departure of Boris Johnson 's senior adviser .
It includes MPs from within the Conservative camp , who had hailed the departure amid a bitter power struggle in Number 10 as a good opportunity for a party `` reset '' .
Earlier he said it is time to restore `` respect , integrity and trust '' , which he said have been `` lacking in recent months '' between Number 10 and Tory MPs .
`` It 's an opportunity to reset how the government operates and to emphasise some values about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party in government , '' the chair of the Commons liaison committee told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
He tweeted : `` Boris now has an opportunity to get a more harmonious , effective Downing Street operation ( like he had at City Hall ) ; improve relations with the parliamentary party ; and lead a less confrontational , more unifying government that better reflects his own character . ''
He tweeted : `` Not before time '' .
Mr Lammy said : `` Donald Trump defeated and soon out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are living through is catastrophic , but my god , it is good to feel hope once again . ''
The former leader of the Liberal Democrats said : `` Cummings may have gone , but let 's never forget that the worst part of the whole Barnard Castle affair was the way Conservative ministers shamelessly lined up to defend him saying 'it 's what any loving father would have done ' while millions made huge sacrifices by staying at home . ''
He said Cummings was abandoning the prime minister `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as the UK faces a devastating extreme Brexit , a second wave of coronavirus , and a growing Tory unemployment crisis '' .
He added : `` It tells you everything you need to know about this arrogant , incompetent and self-serving Tory government that they are ditching their responsibilities at the exact moment their reckless decisions are causing the maximum damage to people across the UK . ''
He told Sky News : `` I 'm worried that it might signal a sell-out on the Brexit deal , but I also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on as its all becoming too chaotic in Number 10 .
Boris needs a big relaunch for 2021 . ''
The news was met with concern from pro-Brexit figures .
Mr Farage said the move showed a `` Brexit sell-out is close '' .
He tweeted : `` It is well documented that I have never liked Dominic Cummings but he has backed Brexit .
`` Seeing him leave Number 10 carrying a cardboard box tells me a Brexit sell-out is close '' .

Politicians from all sides have welcomed the departure of Boris Johnson's senior adviser.
It includes MPs from within the Conservative camp, who had hailed the departure amid a bitter power struggle in Number 10 as a good opportunity for a party "reset".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 The prime minister's chief adviser is seen departing from Downing Street
Senior Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin
Earlier he said it is time to restore "respect, integrity and trust", which he said have been "lacking in recent months" between Number 10 and Tory MPs.
"It's an opportunity to reset how the government operates and to emphasise some values about what we want to project as a Conservative Party in government," the chair of the Commons liaison committee told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"Nobody is indispensable."
Tory peer and Theresa May's ex-chief of staff Gavin Barwell
Mr Barwell said Cummings' departure was a "big moment".
He tweeted: "Boris now has an opportunity to get a more harmonious, effective Downing Street operation (like he had at City Hall); improve relations with the parliamentary party; and lead a less confrontational, more unifying government that better reflects his own character."
Advertisement
Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey
He tweeted: "Not before time".
Shadow Lord Chancellor David Lammy
Mr Lammy said: "Donald Trump defeated and soon out of the White House.
"Vaccine breakthrough. Dominic Cummings carrying boxes out of Number 10.
"The crisis we are living through is catastrophic, but my god, it is good to feel hope once again."
Tim Farron, Lib Dem MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
The former leader of the Liberal Democrats said: "Cummings may have gone, but let's never forget that the worst part of the whole Barnard Castle affair was the way Conservative ministers shamelessly lined up to defend him saying 'it's what any loving father would have done' while millions made huge sacrifices by staying at home."
Leader of the Scottish National Party Ian Blackford
He said Cummings was abandoning the prime minister "like rats on a sinking ship - just as the UK faces a devastating extreme Brexit, a second wave of coronavirus, and a growing Tory unemployment crisis".
He added: "It tells you everything you need to know about this arrogant, incompetent and self-serving Tory government that they are ditching their responsibilities at the exact moment their reckless decisions are causing the maximum damage to people across the UK."
Conservative MP for Romford Andrew Rosindell
He told Sky News: "I'm worried that it might signal a sell-out on the Brexit deal, but I also feel that Dominic Cummings needed to move on as its all becoming too chaotic in Number 10. Boris needs a big relaunch for 2021."
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage
The news was met with concern from pro-Brexit figures. Mr Farage said the move showed a "Brexit sell-out is close".
He tweeted: "It is well documented that I have never liked Dominic Cummings but he has backed Brexit.
"Seeing him leave Number 10 carrying a cardboard box tells me a Brexit sell-out is close".


skynewspolitics--2020-11-14--Over half of Labour's Muslim members 'do not trust the party to deal with Islamophobia'

More than half of Labour 's Muslim members do not believe the leadership of the party is able to deal with Islamophobia , a survey has found .
The research , commissioned and conducted by the Labour Muslim Network ( LMN ) , found that 55 % of respondents said they do not `` trust the leadership of the Labour Party to tackle Islamophobia effectively . ''
A further 59 % of Muslim members and supporters did not feel `` well represented by the leadership of the party '' .
It also found that more than 1 in 4 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced Islamophobia within the party .
A third of Labour 's Muslims , meanwhile , said they have witnessed Islamophobia in Labour first hand - with 48 % reporting they did not have confidence in the party 's ability to deal with complaints `` effectively '' .
The survey of 422 Labour Muslim members and supporters is the latest sign suggesting that Sir Keir Starmer 's new leadership is losing the trust of the party 's members from minority groups .
It comes after the anti-Semitism crisis that resulted in a proportion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Conservative Party has also faced accusations of not rooting out Islamophobia .
In March the Muslim Council of Britain ( MCB ) released a dossier of allegations against more than 300 people in the party .
MCB accused the party of `` denial , dismissal and deceit '' over claims of `` systemic and widespread '' Islamophobia amongst its members .
One respondent told LMN 's researcher growing Islamophobia `` will not only damage ( the ) Labour Party but will cause huge uproar and divisions too '' .
Islamophobia is defined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness '' .
The LMN found that 44 % of those it surveyed believe Labour is failing to take the issue of Islamophobia `` seriously '' .
The system to tackle it , one Labour supporter quoted in the report said , `` remains unfit for purpose '' .
The supporter added : `` The sophistication of racism and Islamophobia today is not recognised or accommodated by procedures '' .
Several members report they are still waiting to hear back from complaints submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Direct experiences of Islamophobia were not the only issues cited in the report .
The report also refers to Labour 's approach to domestic issues , including its stance on the counter-terrorism Prevent strategy , and internationally , its dealing with human rights abuses in the Palestinian Territories and its `` perceived change '' in Kashmir policy earlier this year .
The report adds that some key policy issues are causing `` hurt '' among some Muslim members .
Labour says it will meet with the LMN to discuss how to solve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said in a joint statement : `` We thank Labour Muslim Network for this important report , as well as their work to ensure our Muslim members are represented , included and heard .
`` Islamophobia has no place in our party or society and we are committed to rooting it out .
`` We look forward to working with LMN to implement their recommendations and will be meeting with them to discuss the next steps in tackling the scourge of Islamophobia . ''

More than half of Labour's Muslim members do not believe the leadership of the party is able to deal with Islamophobia, a survey has found.
The research, commissioned and conducted by the Labour Muslim Network (LMN), found that 55% of respondents said they do not "trust the leadership of the Labour Party to tackle Islamophobia effectively."
A further 59% of Muslim members and supporters did not feel "well represented by the leadership of the party".
Image: More than half of Labour's Muslim's members do not trust it to deal with the Islamophobia in the party
It also found that more than 1 in 4 of the party's Muslims have also directly experienced Islamophobia within the party.
A third of Labour's Muslims, meanwhile, said they have witnessed Islamophobia in Labour first hand - with 48% reporting they did not have confidence in the party's ability to deal with complaints "effectively".
The survey of 422 Labour Muslim members and supporters is the latest sign suggesting that Sir Keir Starmer's new leadership is losing the trust of the party's members from minority groups.
It comes after the anti-Semitism crisis that resulted in a proportion of the party's Jewish vote collapsing.
The Conservative Party has also faced accusations of not rooting out Islamophobia. In March the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) released a dossier of allegations against more than 300 people in the party.
MCB accused the party of "denial, dismissal and deceit" over claims of "systemic and widespread" Islamophobia amongst its members.
Advertisement
Image: Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner (pictured) and Sir Keir Starmer say they will work with the report's publishers
One respondent told LMN's researcher growing Islamophobia "will not only damage (the) Labour Party but will cause huge uproar and divisions too".
Islamophobia is defined by the report as being "a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness".
The LMN found that 44% of those it surveyed believe Labour is failing to take the issue of Islamophobia "seriously".
The system to tackle it, one Labour supporter quoted in the report said, "remains unfit for purpose".
The supporter added: "The sophistication of racism and Islamophobia today is not recognised or accommodated by procedures".
Several members report they are still waiting to hear back from complaints submitted - more than a year later.
Direct experiences of Islamophobia were not the only issues cited in the report.
Image: The PM was also accused of Islamophobia after saying Muslim women wearing burkas 'look like letter boxes'
The report also refers to Labour's approach to domestic issues, including its stance on the counter-terrorism Prevent strategy, and internationally, its dealing with human rights abuses in the Palestinian Territories and its "perceived change" in Kashmir policy earlier this year.
The report adds that some key policy issues are causing "hurt" among some Muslim members.
Labour says it will meet with the LMN to discuss how to solve the "scourge" of Islamophobia.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said in a joint statement: "We thank Labour Muslim Network for this important report, as well as their work to ensure our Muslim members are represented, included and heard.
"Islamophobia has no place in our party or society and we are committed to rooting it out.
"We look forward to working with LMN to implement their recommendations and will be meeting with them to discuss the next steps in tackling the scourge of Islamophobia."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-13--Cummings may be leaving Johnson's side, but his impact on UK will be felt for many years

When the UK fully leaves the European Union on 31 December - the shape of that trade deal or no deal to be decided in the coming days - the man who was so instrumental in making Brexit happen will have long gone .
Dominic Cummings , the prime minister 's chief adviser , was the architect of the Vote Leave campaign that won the 2016 referendum and then returned to Downing Street in 2019 to drive through Boris Johnson 's Brexit deal .
It was Mr Cummings who masterminded the `` Oven Ready Brexit '' general election win that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thatcher years .
While he is leaving Downing Street , his impact on Britain will be felt for many years to come .
But while Mr Cummings has played a vital role in this country 's Brexit journey , his unparalleled power and brutal way of doing politics - ( remember the expulsion of 21 Conservative MPs including former chancellors Sir Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond at the height of the Brexit wars ? )
- has over time corroded Mr Johnson 's relationship with his party , with Whitehall and the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister 's relationship with the public too after that mid-lockdown trip to Durham which resulted in national scandal and Mr Cummings becoming a household name , for all the wrong reasons .
The prime minister expended a huge amount of political capital saving an adviser that many of his own MPs and members of the public believed should go .
If the rot set in around the Durham and Barnard Castle debacle , the leaks over the second lockdown , U-turns and policy failures over COVID , wrapped up in an abrasive style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The PM is the best analyst there is , he sees the problems , '' is how one Number 10 insider put it to me this week on the changing of personnel at the heart of the Number 10 operation .
`` The PM wants to change the mood . ''
Out with the confrontational style and back to a more conventional , conciliatory Number 10 .
The big question is how will this change the emphasis of the Johnson administration and his policy goals ?
One figure tells me there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unit with talk of the PM 's current policy chief , Munira Mirza , moving to the House of Lords and being replaced with a new face - names mentioned include MP and former head of Policy Exchange Neil O'Brien , adviser Henry Newman or perhaps even Oliver Lewis .
The PM is also keen to improve the links between the policy unit and the parliamentary party - something MPs will no doubt welcome .
These shifts are part of a wider push within Downing Street to dial down the `` culture wars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - be it on Brexit , reform of the BBC and wider media wars , or trans issues .
`` He wants to focus more on the issues that matter to him , '' says one person inside Number 10 .
`` The environment , the welfare of women and girls , big infrastructure and crime . ''
The most immediate and critical policy decision the PM faces is whether to strike a free trade deal with the EU before the transition period ends on 31 December .
Lord Frost , Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' about the departure of his friend Mr Cain and briefly considered resigning but is staying on to see out the talks , which have stalled in the past week as the deadline for a deal slips further into November .
Number 10 has insisted that the Biden win has not affected their negotiating strategy but cabinet sources believe the shift in power has changed the impetus for getting a deal and maintaining a harmonious relationship with the EU .
No Deal without Trump in the White House suddenly seems very much against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain .
Beyond Brexit , the PM 's policy of levelling up will be recast as `` Building Back Better '' - the question is whether he can put a new team around him that will attack his policy goals with the fervour and determination of Mr Cummings and Mr Cain .
: : Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker That agenda will be , in part , taken on by the PM 's new press secretary Allegra Stratton , who allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having spent years reporting from around the country as ITV 's national editor before moving into government .
A year that has brought us the most severe global pandemic in living memory and will be punctuated with Brexit , the biggest shift in Britain 's foreign policy in decades ; it ends with the prime minister deciding he needs a reset .
Mr Johnson is sometimes accused of dithering but this week he has been anything but , deciding that the two advisers who were once his best assets are now liabilities instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new era for Mr Johnson 's Number 10 .


skynewspolitics--2020-11-14--Labour demands emergency law to stamp out anti-vax content on social media

Anti-vaccination content should be `` stamped-out '' on social media , Labour has said .
With hopes rising of a COVID-19 jab being rolled out by the end of the year , the opposition has called for emergency legislation to `` stamp out dangerous anti-vax content '' .
The party wants the government to bring forward legislation that would include financial and criminal penalties for companies that fail to act against such content .
Labour has claimed dedicated anti-vaccination groups with , hundreds of thousands of members on social media , are `` churning out disinformation '' on the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth have written to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden insisting that the `` spread of disinformation online presents a real and present danger '' to vaccination efforts .
Ms Stevens said : `` The government has a pitiful track record on taking action against online platforms that are facilitating the spread of disinformation .
`` It has been clear for years that this is a widespread and growing problem and the government knows , because Labour has been warning them for some time , that it poses a real threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is literally a matter of life and death and anyone who is dissuaded from being vaccinated because of this is one person too many . ''
Labour insisted that government involvement with social media platforms , aimed at anti-vaccination content , did not go far enough .
The two shadow cabinet ministers said in their letter to the culture secretary : `` What we need is action now and - since these companies have been unable to take action themselves - we are calling on the government to introduce emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalties for continued failure to act .
`` Labour would give the government the votes it needs to get such a bill through the House of Commons . ''
`` We take this issue extremely seriously and have secured a major commitment from Facebook , Twitter and Google to tackle it by not profiting from such material , and by responding to flagged content more swiftly . ''

Anti-vaccination content on social media is "poison" and "garbage" and should be "stamped-out", Labour has said.
With hopes rising of a COVID-19 jab being rolled out by the end of the year, the opposition has called for emergency legislation to remove "dangerous anti-vax content", such as posts against the use of vaccines.
The party wants the government to bring forward laws that would include financial and criminal penalties for companies that fail to act against such content.
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday that "dangerous nonsense" is being spread on social media by people who are against inoculations and it "erodes trust" in vaccines.
There is "poison, garbage (and) conspiracy theories" online and "it's all nonsense", he added.
Mr Ashworth said Labour wanted to work with the government to tackle the issue.
He is calling for "strong public health messaging" because people will have "legitimate questions" about vaccines.
Asked whether people should be forced to accept a jab, Mr Ashworth said "no".
He and shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens have written to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden insisting that the "spread of disinformation online presents a real and present danger" to vaccination efforts.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:23 Politician battles wind, rain and falling lights
Ms Stevens said: "The government has a pitiful track record on taking action against online platforms that are facilitating the spread of disinformation.
"It has been clear for years that this is a widespread and growing problem and the government knows, because Labour has been warning them for some time, that it poses a real threat to the take up of the vaccine.
"This is literally a matter of life and death and anyone who is dissuaded from being vaccinated because of this is one person too many."
Labour insisted that government involvement with social media platforms, aimed at anti-vaccination content, did not go far enough.
The two shadow cabinet ministers said in their letter to the culture secretary: "What we need is action now and - since these companies have been unable to take action themselves - we are calling on the government to introduce emergency legislation which would include financial and criminal penalties for continued failure to act.
"Labour would give the government the votes it needs to get such a bill through the House of Commons."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 Prof Van-Tam says he would take COVID vaccine
A government spokesperson said: "Letting vaccine disinformation spread unchecked could cost British lives.
"We take this issue extremely seriously and have secured a major commitment from Facebook, Twitter and Google to tackle it by not profiting from such material, and by responding to flagged content more swiftly."