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| Reluctant Hero |
Davis Resigns As Shadow Home Sec and MPIt is not often I agree whith Labour, but on this occassion I do. There has to be more to Davis resignation than meets the eye. The Tories will win the next election. Davis would become the third most important politician in the country. Why on earth would he resign as SHS and MP? The news coverage is bound to be negative and it could put some doubt over the Tories winning.If there is not more to this story and it turns out just to be a cheap political stunt, then I hope in the by-election the electorate boot him out the door. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7450627.stm Davis issues challenge to Labour Shadow home secretary David Davis has resigned as an MP, promising to fight to regain his seat on a platform of defending "British liberties". The Lib Dems are not taking part in the by-election in Haltemprice and Howden, while Labour has yet to decide. Mr Davis said the government was facing a test of "nerve" over its plans to extend detentions for terror suspects. But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the resignation showed the Conservatives were in "disarray". Mr Davis said he would fight the by-election campaigning against the government's plans to extend pre-charge detentions for terror suspects to a maximum of 42 days. 'Their issue' The proposal passed through the Commons on Wednesday by a margin of nine votes, against the opposition of the Tories, Lib Dems and 36 Labour MPs. Mr Davis said: "It would be very unlikely that the Labour Party wouldn't stand. "This is their issue... If they don't, what does it show about their nerve? What matters is the principles that we are dealing with here." At the last general election, in 2005, Mr Davis was re-elected with a 5,116 majority, with Labour second and the Lib Dems third. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said his resignation was an extraordinary move almost without precedent in British politics. This cannot go on. It must be stopped and for that reason today I feel it is incumbent on me to make a stand David Davis Analysis: High-risk strategy A profile of David Davis Will Davis face a challenge? So far no party has said it will put up a candidate against Mr Davis - the Lib Dems say they support him on terror detention and Labour is still deciding whether to take part in what some of its MPs have described as a "stunt". The BNP, which came fourth in the seat in the 2005 general election, says it will not stand against Mr Davis as it agrees with his stance on terror detention. UKIP, which was fifth, said it was still considering its position, although one of its MEPs, Godfrey Bloom, has offered to campaign for Mr Davis. If no other candidate has come forward by the close of nominations, Mr Davis would be returned as the MP without a vote. 'Personal decision' He has led the opposition to Labour's plans to extend the maximum limit terror suspects can be held beyond the current 28-day maximum. On Wednesday, Mr Davis accused the government of "buying" the nine votes they needed to get the legislation through the Commons. He vowed that the Conservatives, who are the official opposition and favourites to win at the next election, would continue the fight in the House of Lords. Tory leader David Cameron paid tribute to his campaign on 42 days and insisted the party would not change its policy. But he stressed Mr Davis' resignation had been "a personal decision, a decision he has made". He said it was a "courageous" move and he hoped Conservatives would support Mr Davis's by-election campaign. This resignation is quite extraordinary and without precedent that I can think of in British politics and means that politics is now utterly unpredictable Nick Robinson BBC Political Editor Read Nick's thoughts in full Q&A: Davis resignation But he added: "We cannot put home affairs on pause and it is my job to ensure that we have a team that's ready for government." Shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve, whom Mr Cameron has appointed as the new shadow home secretary, rubbished reports the Tory leadership was split on the issue of 42 days and pledged to repeal the measure if the party gained power. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Faced with a crucial decision on the safety and protection of the British public, the Conservatives have collapsed into total disarray on what is their first big policy test since they have come under greater scrutiny. "David Cameron must come clean on what has really happened and why David Davis has really resigned." Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who also voted against 42 day detention, said his party would not be fielding a candidate in the by-election, after speaking to Mr Davis. HAVE YOUR SAY It has come to something when it takes the lone bravery of a Tory MP and the house of Lords to protect civil liberties in this country Peter Hearty, London Send us your commentsMr Davis mounted a passionate attack on government plans to extend terror detention in the Commons on Wednesday - only to see the government win the key vote by the narrowest of margins. In his resignation statement, he said he feared 42 days was just the beginning and next "we'll next see 56 days, 70 days, 90 days". But, he added: "In truth, 42 days is just one - perhaps the most salient example - of the insidious, surreptitious and relentless erosion of fundamental British freedoms." He listed the growth of the "database state," government "snooping" ID cards, the erosion of jury trials and other issues. "This cannot go on. It must be stopped and for that reason today I feel it is incumbent on me to make a stand," said Mr Davis. |
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| Holebender |
I don't see that there has to be more to this story. The UK is the most watched society in the "free" world, and Labour have been nibbling away at the edges of civil liberties constantly since gaining power. It is well past the time when someone said "enough" and challenged this surveillance society most people seem content to sleepwalk into. | ||
| Aventinian |
I imagine the only other dimension to the story is that Davis perhaps didn't think he'd find himself in such high office following the general election.
Still, it is essentially a political act, yet using taxpayers' money to fund a by-election. Regardless of how much or little we are speaking of (apparently around £80,000), I still disagree with the principle. That said, I do agree with the sentiment. |
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| Rinty |
I am with aventinian on this. I agree with Davis' views on 42 days and his sentiment behind this move, but I think it is entirely inappropraite that he chosen to spend tax payers money on this.
Looks like Murdoch will enter the direct political electoral field for the first time with Kelvin McKenzie standing as a 'Sun' candidate funded by Murdoch. Davies isnt exactly a liberal though when it comes to other issues such as gay rights and is quite happy to see the civil liberties of Iraqis eroded. So he may find himself ripped apart at this byelection. His political career as a front bench spokesperson or potential cabinet minister is over, in my opinion. |
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| agentmancuso |
It's an odd move alright. I agree entirely with his stated principles, though I'd always placed him at the far end of the Conservative spectrum. It does seem pointless to force a by-election in a seat where the government would be lucky to finish third. Why not force it in a Tory-Labour marginal? It's hard to see how the Conservatives as a party can benefit. Maybe it is just a principled liberal decision, though it's hard to square that with his support for the death penalty! | ||
| Reluctant Hero |
Iain Macwhirter has based his column on this
http://www.sundayherald.com/oped/opinion/display.var.2342325.0.0.php |
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| Cruachan |
Davis has always been a liberal populist with traditional/reactionary leanings (eg death penalty). Much of his resignation statement was on the wider freedoms that have been hacked away by Labour over the last ten years, with IDs cards still to come. I really don't think this is about benefiting the Conservatives. At the risk of seeing everything through the prism of Scottish Independence, I wonder if Davis' campaign is the start of a challenge to the Conservative dominance of English politics? Anticipating the end of the United Kingdom, and the begining of an English Freedom Party (led by Davis?), majoring on civil liberties and "traditional" values? |
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| agentmancuso |
I'm pretty sure that most Conservatives would be happy to accept that description as one referring to their present party - which probably holes the idea of any (successful) new party waving the same flag. |
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| Reluctant Hero |
There are 26 candidates standing in the by-election to be held on the 10th July. If Davis doesn't win out of that lot, then it will possibly be the ultimate humiliation ever experienced by an MP.
Here's hoping 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7476255.stm In full: Haltemprice candidates A total of 26 candidates - half of them independents - will contest the by-election sparked by the resignation of senior Tory David Davis as an MP. The ex-shadow home secretary quit to generate a debate on civil liberties, especially the government's 42-day detention limit for terror suspects. Neither Labour nor the Liberal Democrats will field a candidate in Haltemprice and Howden on 10 July. At the 2005 general election, Mr Davis won with a majority of 5,116. It is thought to be the highest number of candidates ever to stand at a by-election in recent times. Here is the full list of candidates: Grace Christine Astley - Independent David Laurence Bishop - Church of the Militant Elvis Party Ronnie Carroll - Make Politicians History Mad Cow-Girl - The Official Monster Raving Loony Party David Craig - Independent Herbert Winford Crossman - Independent Tess Culnane - National Front Britain for the British Thomas Faithful Darwood - Independent David Michael Davis - Conservative Tony Farnon - Independent Eamonn "Fitzy" Fitzpatrick - Independent Christopher Mark Foren - Independent Gemma Dawn Garrett - Miss Great Britain Party George Hargreaves - Christian Party Hamish Howitt - Freedom 4 Choice David Icke - No party listed John Nicholson - Independent Shan Oakes - Green Party David Pinder - The New Party Joanne Robinson - English Democrats: Putting England First Jill Saward - Independent Norman Scarth - Independent Walter Edward Sweeney - Independent Christopher John Talbot - Socialist Equality Party John Randle Upex - Independent Greg Wood - Independent |
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| William_Cleland |
Looks like it is time to increase the size of the electoral deposit. | ||
| Cruachan |
Yes, but you can't argue with the Church of the Militant Elvis. It enriches the body politic! "It's now or never". |
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| Reluctant Hero |
Most of the 26 characters can be seen here, including Elvis
http://www.by_elections.blogspot.com/ |
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| Red Justice |
I read on Yahoo News earlier on Davis is getting the support of one Bob Geldof 
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| Reluctant Hero |
This must be one of the funniest stories of the campaign.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7498648.stm |
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| Red Justice |
Pity would like to see the stage collapse crashing down taking with it Tess Culnane - National Front Britain for the British candidate. |
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| Scott2006 |
The ID state must be closer to completion with what Privy Councillors get to see that mere mortals like the rest of the electorate are not privy too.
David Davis should win comfortably but if he gets less voters than in a local council election he might get attacked in the media for failing to enthuse his electorate. Of course in earlier times, after a general election, if a candidate was recommended for high office to his/her majesty, that person had to seek re-election to take up the post. Grubby backroom deals from anonymous or dodgy donors would have been unthinkable pre-second world war Britain. It will be interesting if David Davis has achieved a longer affect in fighting a gradual and unstoppable shift to a stasi-style society where all outside interests are noted and scrutinised. A principled stand is something many careerists cannot compute, which makes up most of the donkeys in the Labour higher echelons. Labour have deserted the field, and the records will always show a big zero votes beside Labour in this election. The only hidden dimension that can't be swept aside by the government is can we trust a party that has such a disregard for basic democracy that they chose to avoid being called on some basic human rights. Vote Labour - Vote for an ID Card Carrying, Big Brother style society. David Davis would say that if I was his script writer - which as you may have gathered i'm most definately not. |
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| Holebender |
Davis wins.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4313622.ece |
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