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It is interesting that his supposed strength - public speaking - is turning out to be terrible. When pressed on detail, he completely flounders, but even set-piece speeches have been awful. Add to that his pathetic interactions with the public. I think the pressure is definitely getting to him.
In a full general election campaign his handlers will have to restrict his appearances as they did (successfully) in the leadership campaign. Another reason for the opposition not to rush into an election is the longer he is this exposed the worse he will look - and is more likely to screw up somehow. Much the same with Rees-Mogg - his schtick works in soundbites (for that audience), but given a larger stage he's showing how truly awful he is.
villa-ru-
I think the pressure is definitely getting to him.
Agree.
Prior to this he has always seemed so effortless. I've heard a few anecdotes from people who've seen him comfortably deliver an entertaining speech on any number of topics. Now the heat is on he seems to be struggling to maintain that laid-back charm. Interesting when you think of him against people like Cameron, Clegg and Blair.
hugo7
Well ... previously, there were only non-binding motions. What is being passed now is an Act of Parliament approved in both Houses. I suppose it's entirely possible that when Cummings says “When are you fucking MPs going to realise we are leaving on October 31? We are going to purge you.”, he means that he intends to 'advise' the Prime Minister not to heed the Act:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/05/conservatives-rising-anger-at-cummings-role-in-purge-of-brexit-rebels
I'm afraid I still can't believe that, but we'll see. I don't know what, if any, the consequences would be, apart from a massive scandal and huge political turmoil, of course.
Previously, I thought Cummings' stick was only that he dishonourably and mean-mindedly sought to exploit 'loopholes' in laws, and since he's been a 10 Downing Street adviser, in the 'unwritten constitution', but now that Parliament has legislated (or is a short way away from securing Royal Assent) and presumably in this way has closed a loophole, perhaps there's something more sinister going on. Could he be the enemy within? Has Johnson been compromised? I mean, he's always been absurd to some extent, but his behaviour recently has been even more absurd than before. He's been utterly rubbish at everything, including that bizarre speech today, which apparently had been intended as the launch of his election campaign, and has appeared completely rattled and extremely nervous. All very strange and not comforting.