Boris Johnson’s Chief Adviser Dominic Cummings left Downing Street yesterday in a dramatic turn of events, but what does this mean for the future of the UK government?
Known for his infamous shirking of lockdown rules on a trip to Durham back in March, Dominic Cummings has remained a controversial figure in UK politics. The Durham scandal led many to expect a disgraced resignation in early April, yet with Boris Johnson refusing to condemn his actions, Cummings remained in Downing Street.
However on Friday, with a lone cardboard box in hand, a rather sad looking Dominic Cummings was pictured exiting Downing Street for the last time after the Prime Minister reportedly asked him to step down.
As the director of the Vote Leave campaign for Brexit, many may miss his brutal ‘get Brexit done’ attitude, with the UK beginning its official exit from the EU on December 31st – now without a key member.
Yet for the most part, his departure has been well received. As such a controversial figure and subsequent liability, Cummings has damaged the Prime Minister’s relationship with the public, with his exit acting as a possible way to begin restoring public faith in a government already so divided by Brexit and Covid-19.
Rumors have also circulated surrounding Boris Johnson, with many Tory MPs believing he too will resign next spring once the majority of Brexit is sorted out. This follows his apparent private complaining that his Prime Minister’s salary of £150,000 is too low and unliveable for his extravagant lifestyle, meaning he may resign next year.
The constant comings and goings of major Conservative party members such as Theresa May, Dominic Cummings and possibly Boris Johnson highlights the division among the Conservatives, presenting them as a possibly unstable and unreliable government.
Time will only tell if they can withstand the next general election, with 2024 looming closer every day.
