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Old 12-06-08, 20:01   #3
AndyM
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Re: David Davis - honourable stance or opportunistic populism?

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What do people make of Davis's resignation in order to force a by election where he'll stand on the position of oppostion to 42 days detention?

i can't decide whether it's a return of some semblance of honour to british politics or a complete con pretending to be that, while knowing he's at no real electoral risk.

i believe the tories liberal sensibilities are authentically offended by this, and labour's increasing socialist authoritarianism generally - although in office i'm not sure they'd be any less brutal in the name of realpolitik on this particular issue. but this could well be a stunt nonetheless. but there again i've lost sight of where the line line between realism and endless cynicism is, whereit comes to our pols.

it could just be a gag to poke fun at the hilarious guardianistas fervently decrying labour - as with any elected left of centre party - of being 'right wing' on this and everything else. the more left wing labour become, the louder the cries get. mind you, their leader writers, seem to be shamelessly repeating the rather optimistic labour line that this puts the tories in turmoil. if turmoil means outwitting labour again - which i think is the upshot whether davis is at it or not - then i guess it is. unless of course, it's a sly leadership bid, which could really feck the tories up.

whatever, i think davis could win this by election by with as high a share of the vote as anyone has ever achieved in a democracy.
Interestingly the Lib Dems are refusing to field a candidate up against him in this by election as they back him 100%.
I think this decision by Davis is probably a bit of both - honour and a stunt. Would have been interesting to hear his boss's reaction when he was first told, having said that the Tories are far from in turmoil as the Labour optimists claim, this could be a really smart move.

Where I'd disagree with you is on your point that labour are going left wing. As an ex labour supporter I think the party is fractured hopelessly now and its neither one thing or the other. What Labour is..... is lost and lacking any form of awareness and as Broon tries to tighten his grip the whole thing continues to slip through his fingers and the pathetic echoes of the dying days of the John Major government ring hollowly in his ears.

I expect a leadership challenge come the autumn.
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