David Davis?

Rumours abound that the shadow home secretary, David Davis, is set to resign as an MP thus triggering a by-election. This is very surprising news. Whether there is a scandal that he is trying to avoid or if this is the most incredible stunt re his opposition to the 42 days vote I do not know. A statement is due soon.


Update: Sky are reporting that:

"Shadow home secretary David Davis has resigned as an MP apparently to highlight his opposition to the detention of terror suspects for 42 days without charge. His resignation will trigger a by-election which he will fight on the grounds that he is against government's increasing intrusion into the public's lives."

Update 2: David Davis is standing down to "take a stand" to "force a by-election". I will fight it on the grounds of "the slow strangulation of ... freedom." "Ever intrusive .. loss of freedom...". "If they do send me back here, it will be with a single message: that this monstrous law will not stand."


An incredible step to take and how this play out I cannot predict....


Did David Cameron know about this in advance? A statement is due from him within the hour. David Davis is a very independently minded man of principle and he may have not agreed it with David Cameron.

This is one of those moments that the deck of cards is thrown in the air and we do not know how they will fall. A truly exciting moment in British politics.


Update 3:
Lib Dems will not contest the by-election so as to make it a straight fight on the issue - if it can...

This is moving very fast, too fast? Can you imagine the panic at Number 10, what should they say and do?