[Archie]

A real odd one this - not least all of the parties trying to claim the moral high ground. It's made more odd by the fact that most Tories instinctively favour the 42 day rule. Of course Davis will win - he knows it, though any cabinet career is gubbed, at least under Cameron - maybe playing a longer game, though at 59 that gets a bit harder. Should Labour stand? I would say no, as they can't win the seat, they are unpopular and the terms would be entirely defined by Davis.

Bottom line, Davis bounces Cameron into repealing 42 days, gives himself prominence as a defender of liberty and becomes a thorn in Cameron's side. Labour are dubbed anyway (all parties have a sell by date, despite what they do) so may welcome the sideshow. That, and nobody's talking about Brown for a few days.