David Davies

[webofevil]

It’s hard to escape the news today that Shadow Home Sec David Davis is throwing down a big fake gauntlet by resigning and recontesting a perfectly safe Tory seat. I’d love to see the government call this for the stunt it is and not run a candidate against him. His hollow victory would help to erode the idea that his move was for the good of the nation rather than specifically for the greater glory of David Davis. They won’t do that, of course. Brown, with the keen political instincts he has demonstrated over the past year, has arbitrarily chosen to make this his big battleground and he has shown that he is willing to sacrifice anything—principle, conscience, other legislation—to win. Meanwhile, ever more surreally, the Tories now get to paint themselves not only as champions of the poor but as defenders of the liberties of suspected terrorists. How did we get here, exactly?

Comments

[strictlytrue.livejournal.com]

Has there been an official declaration that Labour will contest the seat? Comments by one of the Whips on the Guardian site seem to suggest Labour are keeping their powder dry for the moment.

In fact, it seems so obvious to me that Labour shouldn't contest it, that I'm wondering whether they should because not running is exactly what Labour want them to do.

As for the Tories painting themselves as champions of the poor, it's going to take a lot more than the 10p tax rate thing to do that.

[srk1.livejournal.com]

"Has there been an official declaration that Labour will contest the seat?"

They haven't said anything yet. Probably sitting back and enjoying the confusion.

[strictlytrue.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I meant "exactly what Davis wants them to do". When does the time limit expire on editing posts then?

[srk1.livejournal.com]

I think we have to think of Davis and the Tories as two separate entities. The noises they are making suggest this is an individual stunt, rather than a party stunt.

So the question is not what Davis wants them to do, as he isn't very important, but what the Tories want them to do.

The Tories will claim 'ownership' of the by-election if it is a thumping win over a Labour opponent, and sweep it (and Davis) under the carpet if it is a massive win over a handful of fringe nutcases. The third option is to back a quasi-independent, Martin Bell-style. But this isn't 1997 and David Davis isn't Neil Hamilton, so I think a tactical withdrawal is the best option. You never know, it might turn out to be a game-changer, the way the aborted election was a game-changer last year.

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

ha, i thought he'd resigned to stand in henley for a moment there.

this is complete mentalism surely? why would they even waste £1500 (or however much it is these days) to put a candidate up???

[carsmilesteve.livejournal.com]

also note to self:

don't read the comments on the nick robinson blog, you'll only want to break your monitor/eyes...

[ruudboy.livejournal.com]

When someone replies to it.

[lifesizemonkey.livejournal.com]

Have you read Davis' speech? It's a bit nutty.

[(Anonymous)]

Speech looks fine to me. Far less nutty than the general Tory front bench cuddle bile.

Isn't he just saying that the only reason he's resigned is to try and prevent the Parliament Act being used to push 42 days through the Lords?
Legal basis for using the Parliament Act on an issue that a government weren't elected on is iffy.

He MAY just be doing a proper clever thing.

[lifesizemonkey.livejournal.com]

I thought it was nutty as it seemed a bit of a volte face from someone who has called for the return of the death penalty and who opposes the Human Rights Act. I think he's angling for the UKip leadership.