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Original poster

David Davis hss resigned

36 replies

NotABanana · 12/06/2008 13:03

Speaking on Radio 4 now

OP posts:
sfxmum · 12/06/2008 13:07

oh a by- elections he must have a plan

Bridie3 · 12/06/2008 13:14

Good for him. It's about the 42 days.

I didn't like his views before but I'm delighted that someone is prepared to go for the wire to protect us from the increasing powers of the state.

ZZMum · 12/06/2008 13:18

he has a plan -- all extra publicity for him riding the rescue of our liberties.. FGS man you lost the leadership election, get over it and get on with your job...

Original poster
NotABanana · 12/06/2008 13:19

There must be a plan as the Lib Dems aren't putting anyone up against him.

OP posts:
EffiePerine · 12/06/2008 13:20

hmm I wonder?

sfxmum · 12/06/2008 13:20

he hates Cameron imo and will get that job eventually can't wait to see what Dave's comment will be

also must get a life

DaDaDa · 12/06/2008 13:21

Bizarre move. Toys out of the pram after a row with Cameron?

DaDaDa · 12/06/2008 13:22

Good to see some surprises coming back into politics though.

DaDaDa · 12/06/2008 13:36

Just heard his speech and perhaps I was little too flippant. Hard not to be cynical these days though.

AtheneNoctua · 12/06/2008 13:41

Very interesting that Nick Clegg is supporting him by not fielding a candidate to oppose him.

So, it's the Tories and the Lib Dems against Labour... interesting....

barnstaple · 12/06/2008 13:43

Good to see there's still one principle in politics, even if it's only one person's. At least there's one!

LyraSilvertongue · 12/06/2008 13:45

It's not exactly risky though, is it? He's made a deal with the Lib Dems (his main opposition in his constituency) not to field a candidate in the by-election. So he's unlikely to lose and will be appointed back to the front bench by Cameron.

cestlavie · 12/06/2008 13:53

Yes, David Davis, the voice of social tolerance and compassion. Oh hang on, didn't he speak out in favour of the death penalty a couple of years back and vote against the repeal of Section 28?

Let's not kid ourselves about two things. One, that if the Tories were in power you can betcha ass that the 42 day amendment would have gone through in the blink of any eye without a whimper from any of their MPs. Two, Davis is not doing this for his 'conscience' - he's ex. (Territorial Army) SAS as well as being a Tory! Does anyone honestly think he'd be resigning unless he knew the by-election would be his and that he'd gain some significant political capital from this?

AtheneNoctua · 12/06/2008 13:54

I was under the impression the conversation with Nick Clegg came after he announced his intent to resign.

This will do more damage to Labour than it will help the Conservatives. It's'll be one more punch. The London Mayoral election, the recent by elections that went to the tories, the recent losses to Labour seats, and now a by election being fought by a united Tory-LibDem campaign.

Did anyone see the cover of Private Eye this week? IT has Bush and Brown shaking hands and both of them saying "So your leaving office soon...".

LyraSilvertongue · 12/06/2008 13:55

No, he told Nick Clegg last night.

AtheneNoctua · 12/06/2008 13:57

But he announced the intent earier Wednesday. (to Cameron, not to the public)

I thought... maybe I got that wrong though.

LyraSilvertongue · 12/06/2008 13:59

He told Cameron and the party earlier in the week what he intended to do if Tories lost the vote. then he told Nick Clegg last night after the vote.

LyraSilvertongue · 12/06/2008 14:00

The Lib Dems will stay out of the by-election if they've got no candidate standing. So it will be head to head Tories V Labour.

AtheneNoctua · 12/06/2008 14:02

Right, but everyone knows the Lib Dems are supporting the Tories by not being there.

LyraSilvertongue · 12/06/2008 14:03

of course.
if Labour have any sense they won't field a candidate either. Now that would be funny.

wasabipeanut · 12/06/2008 14:04

cestlavie I think you're wrong and being perhaps a little too cynical (although given the bahviour of most mp's I don't blame you).

For starters compassion and civil liberties are 2 very different things. Just because David is a social conservative it doesn't mean he is wrong about this particualr issue.

Secondly, the tories are about minimal state intervention and protecting freedom. Why in the name of god would they have put forward a plan to bang people up for 6 weeks without actually charging them with anything???

Its easily done (by me as much as anyone) but I think you are guilty of knee jerk anti toryism.

DaDaDa · 12/06/2008 14:05

Even if this wasn't done with the consent of Cameron, you can bet it'll be spun that way now.

AtheneNoctua · 12/06/2008 14:06

Yes, that would indeed be funny. It's almost a lose-lose situation for Labour. Field a candidate and lose. Or look like cowards for not fielding a candidate.

bossykate · 12/06/2008 14:06

was feeling really good about this then disheartened by the cynicism here. whatever his history, or his underlying motivation, i am very, very glad someone is making a stand on this.

Bridie3 · 12/06/2008 14:08

Cestlavie, do you think that just because people have been in the Services they're all far-right wingers?? My husband was an army major and hates ID cards, believes in probably all the things you do as far as social and political justice are concerned.

Moreover, he was prepared to die so we could enjoy democratic freedoms.

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