David Davis resigns — Clegg does right thing

[matgb]

David Davis (Tory Shadow Home Secretary) has resigned on a point of principle and as I start writing this I hear that Clegg has announced the Lib Dems won't stand against him (ETA: confirmed at the Spectator).

Clegg is 100% correct

That was what I was going to suggest should happen, Labour were a distant third last time but as this is a single issue resignation in order to reinforce there is no mandate for the use of the Parliament Act, and Lib Dem party policy agrees completely with DD's stance, Clegg is correct to suggest no candidate. I believe that constitutionally the local party should be consulted, and I strongly hope that Haltemprice and Howden Lib Dems will not only acquiesce, but will also get out and back him on the campaign trail to strongly reinforce and fight on the issue.

Dodgy polls asking push questions show there is support for the 42 days measure, but an uninformed opinion based on a question that summarises the issue isn't enough.

I never thought I'd say this, but David Davis just went a long way up in my estimation.

Comments

[rho]

I agree with you entirely. However, the slightly cynical part of my nature can't help but notice that this sort of thing would make a wonderful publicity stunt, especially since it looks like an entirely safe Torie seat that he has very little danger of losing.

[matgb]

Oh, definitely, but a stunt on the right issues, which matters. If the next GE is liberty vs state, I can think of no better way to get the media to finally wake up to the shift in the axes.