Cummings isn't the omniscient ubermensch that some of the Tory spin is making him out to be. He does however have an intuitive understanding of true populism which is very rare in Westminster. I fear some of his opponents are underestimating him again.

He understands that most people

A) don't care at all about process
B) don't care about logical consistency
C) care a lot about the things that directly impact their life (NHS, crime)
D) hate being told how to behave

He also understands the importance of message discipline better than anyone since Campbell. Repetition looks absurd to those of us who pay attention to politics but cuts through to the majority that don't.

What's he bad at?

A) analysing his own failings (ironically given his love of Tetlock etc)

B) the boring work of detailed policy development

C) avoiding petty and distracting battles with his enemies.

(I worked with him for four years by the way it any more recent followers are wondering why I'm tweeting this. Personally I liked him him a lot most of the time. He's funny, charismatic and inspires loyalty. He also royally pissed me off sometimes through sheer unreasonableness)

I think I'm probably the only person whose worked closely with him who didn't support leave. I haven't spoken to him since the referendum was called. So he may have a changed a lot in the last five years....but I doubt it.