“Courageous” is how Conservative Leader David Cameron described the decision by his shadow home secretary, David Davis, to quit his parliamentary seat and force a by-election over the issue of pre-charge detention.
Davis says he will contest the seat to take a stand on the erosion of civil liberties caused by the proposal to extend to 42 days the time police can hold terrorism suspects without charge.
The opposition Liberal Democrats — who also oppose the extension — have already said they will not field a candidate, leaving the by-election a clear contest between Davis and a Labour opponent.
But the high risk move has already lost Davis his shadow cabinet post — he has been replaced by shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve — and could backfire if Labour is able to portray it as a split at the top of Cameron’s party.
Is Davis being courageous? Or just foolish?
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11 comments so far
Courageous
- Posted by Joe BloggsI’m amazed……….an MP with integrity!
- Posted by tonyI firmly believe that if any person, regardless of colour, creed or religion, is plotting to bring harm to any other British citizen, they MUST therefore lose their human rights entitlements.
Surely terrorists (or suspected terrorists) must lose their rights to be treated on a level footing with other British citizens as they involve themselves fanatical sects who openly publish their scathing desires to bring pain and distress to our Christian society?
I suggest if Mr Davis was mourning the loss of his teenage daughter, killed on her way to work, or rehabilitating his son who had lost both legs in the bombings, he may not be so swift to offer these barbarians additional rights
It seems that the vast majority of ordinary, British people are absolutely to the end of their patience with the the sympathetic, over-indulgent attitude of this Government in dealing with terrorism - should these people cry out against their own society in the Middle East or Africa ( or the most part of the Muslim world) they would be dealt with sharply and swiftly.
- Posted by Annette WatsonDavid Davis has shown gumption, guts and support for basic human rights. I applaud him: good man!
That he is baulking against an increasingly authoritarian ‘big brother’ Labour government, where people can be put away WITHOUT a body of eveidence, is a clear signal to an increasingly politically monstrous Brown and condemnation of an assault on the whole ethos of habeus corpus.
As another example of perverse logic, the latest sicko idea they have come up with is to moot that ALL pictures of our children, as toddlers at the seaside, at bath time and perhaps lying on a rug, should be considered as filthy paedo pics - if the child is naked.
They intend to turn something innocent and affectionate into something dark and filthy, and they are in effect, criminalising something that is without fault.
And then we have the obscene erosion of the civil liberties that we MUST defend.
David has done us all a favour: he has attempted to challenge, head-on, the reactionary Labour leviathan that threatens the freedom that we have fought for over the centuries, and which was enshrined in the Magna Carta.
- Posted by The Truth Is...I suppose Davis COULD be a principled man, but….
Resignation on principle is not common amongst MPs;
He has a 5000 majority;
Before resigning, he agreed with the Liberals that they wouldn’t stand against him, so he will pick up Liberal votes;
Labour is trailing badly in popularity, so are likely to lose irrespective of the 42 day issue;
Another by-election defeat will be a big blow for Brown.
It all adds up to a cynical ploy to give Brown another bloody nose. Fine - play Labour at their own game of dirty tricks. Just hope that it doesn’t backfire.
- Posted by Mike TSo Daveis wants the bombers etc to walk our streets, I wish he would go to the Familes thats lost their Husbands and Sons, The fool waisting our money on nothing, Tomorrow I get 25p on my pension, David your are a plonker.
- Posted by Alan HallamIn reply to this post:
“So Daveis wants the bombers etc to walk our streets, I wish he would go to the Familes thats lost their Husbands and Sons, The fool waisting our money on nothing, Tomorrow I get 25p on my pension, David your are a plonker.”
- Posted by Alan Hallam
Alan, you have displayed a lack of understanding of the ethos of the Habeus Corpus, and your post is at the very least facile.
Lord Byron fully understood the value of Habius Corpus and celebrated it’s intrinsic worth.
I must stress that an informed point of view is worth a hundred ignorant ones.
People MUST understand the implications of violating our Habius Corpus civil right.
I rest my case!!
- Posted by The Truth Is...another self seeking tory, anything to get noticed.. or to further his career.. nothing but a publicity stunt..
- Posted by malDavis has shown himself to be a man of both courage and principal.
What a shame that not one of the so called “Labour rebels” has the guts to follow his lead.
- Posted by John BallIts good to see a politician make a stand based on principle. G Brown might laugh at it as showning signs of division in the Conservative Party but 37 Labour MP’s voted against the Government whip. I think he has the divided party problem. The Lords will make sure this issue wont go away long after the Davis by election.
- Posted by ianPrincipled: Yes
- Posted by anthony leonardRelevant to our own lives: Not particularly, this episode is for the anoraks in the Westminster village only.
Whatever the aims of this government, Judges seem not to take the hint which appals us all. It is about time that the parties involved: Courts/Police/MPs ceased the activity trap of pretending more laws reduce crime (they don’t) and enforced the common law which forbids killing/threating/endangering lives