Who is running this country?

Bercow is playing a blinder IMO. Not surprised they don't like him, he's making them play by the rules.

????Bercow

He is there only to ensure the executive and parliament don’t run amuck with the Erskine May rule book.

His world exists only in the HoC.

They possibly thought they could bulldoze their way through this impasse before Cummings leaves. Who will Johnson lean on then I wonder? Perhaps his departure is what the LP are waiting for?

Perhaps history will be kinder about TM's negotiations than anything BJ manages to force through on behalf of his wealthy mates.

cummings is the source of “downing street sources” and the ridiculous lies that people like Kuenssberg are putting out, for example the fake news that Grieves is being investigated for collusion, or that there is going to be legislation past to criminalise those seen as actively disagreeing with government policy etc.

There have been loads of these fake facts put out recently.

The media dutifully prints it without critical comment and those not willing or knowledgable enough to do otherwise lap it up.

Those I know in the civil service and I know quite a few at high level are in despair at the incompetence, the muddle, the lack of foresight etc.

Civil servants do what is required by their ministers. Nothing more or less

I fear the answer to the question is that weasel John Bercow.

It is completely shameful how biased he is, and how obviously determined to thwart Brexit at all costs.

Disgraceful.

Cummings has been chief strategist to Johnson before Johnson became Tory leader.

I. Suspect that Johnson is too disorganised for anything sensible,

Cummings is leaving next week so it will be interesting to see who Johnson appoints then, as he isn’t really up to the job, the same as so many Tory ministers we’ve been saddled with over the last few years.

The list is endless.

It is a burden this country has to bear and is paying the price for

The Civil Service run the country. They always have. The Government and Parliament may try to decide which direction we will take and, like the wind on a sailing ship will have a strong influence on it, but the Civil Service actually steers the ship and will tack back to the direction they want us to go in. That’s why I think we will never leave the EU. The Civil Service like it.