David Davis (update)

The more I think about Davis Davis's decision to resign and fight a by-election on the slow strangulation of freedom in the UK the more puzzled I get. I cannot see how this benefits the Conservative party and therefore have to assume that David Davis and David Cameron must have had a disagreement over the pledge to repeal the 42 days legislation. If this is the case then they Conservative party have handed a great propaganda coup to the beleaguered Gordon Brown who can know decry Tory splits as well as Tory sleaze at every PMQs for the foreseeable future. This is a shame as I believe that all Conservative MPs apart from Anne Widecombe voted with their party leader against the extension to 42 days, whilst 36 Labour MPs voted against their leader.

Rumours that Gordon Brown may decline for Labour to put up a candidate seem unlikely. Gordon Brown has already bottled calling one election, to be in a position where he could be accused of bottling a second could be fatal. Also if Labour don't stand then how will they be able to argue against David Davis's position without being asked "if you disagree why aren't you standing?"

There are so many variables here including what if there is a serious terrorist incident in the UK between now and 10 July (the probable by-election date)?

Assuming David Davis wins the by-election, and that does seem more than likely, then what happens? Does he stay on the back-benches? He's a big beast to be out of the shadow cabinet and they need him in there. Would he be given his old role back of shadowing the Home Secretary, he is the longest serving shadow Home Secretary since Roy Hattersly I believe? Will Dominic Grieve be as impressive a performer as Davis Davis?

By the way, I wonder if David Davis has purchased a white suit for the campaign.




I note that David Cameron is quoted as describing David Davis’ move as courageous. reminds me of a Yes Minister episode:

"Sir Humphrey: There are four words you have to work into a proposal if you want a Minister to accept it.

Sir Frank: Quick, simple, popular, cheap. And equally there are four words to be included in a proposal if you want it thrown out.

Sir Humphrey: Complicated, lengthy, expensive, controversial. And if you want to be really sure that the Minister doesn't accept it you must say the decision is courageous.

Bernard: And that's worse than controversial?

Sir Humphrey: (laughs) Controversial only means this will lose you votes, courageous means this will lose you the election."