Everything Ulster - Latest comments on David Davis. Nearly a bold statement, but actually just pointless

oneill [Visitor] in response to: David Davis. Nearly a bold statement, but actually just pointless

oneill [Visitor] — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:29:14 +0000

The electorate being asked to ratify the politician's position were the same electorate that backed them only three years previously at a General Election.

At a General Election voters don’t vote on specific issues like 42 Days, the ID card question or whether we get a Lisbon Referendum. What Davis can achieve, as already said, is the spotlight being turned on Labour and Brown’s attitude towards our personal freedoms and liberties.

Whether he gets voted in with a much increased majority or not is less important than the fact that those in favour of 42 Days will actually have to explain their reasoning to the wider public, instead of the usual practise of relying on backroom deals and bribes in order to push it through an increasingly remote and cut off legislature.

Chekov [Visitor] in response to: David Davis. Nearly a bold statement, but actually just pointless

Chekov [Visitor] — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:15:51 +0000

Michael,

My personal take on it is that although the 42 days issue has provided the specific impetus for Davis' decision, their is a much broader, foundational debate about freedoms and liberties on which this campaign will be fought. The tactical political nuances of this don't excite me as much as the thought that this critical debate will become the focus of the media and national political life for the period of the campaign. I believe that these issues are so interwoven with the fabric of the UK in which we live that this can only be a good thing. I'm not sure about David Davis' personal motivations, but I stand by him on this issue, and welcome the publicity this by-election will give it and the fact that people in the UK must think such things through more thoroughly.

Abdul-Rahim [Visitor] in response to: David Davis. Nearly a bold statement, but actually just pointless

Abdul-Rahim [Visitor] — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:07:22 +0000

Perhaps you are right, the swing towards the Conservatives in 2005 was impressive and so any win for him (even as an Independent) won't be construed as such a major victory for his cause , but it is impressive that his single show of principle has produced such support, considering that only a few days ago the public was with the government on 45 days detention.