Thursday 12 June 2008

The odd resignation of David Davis

Relatively few events in politics surprise me, but the resignation of David Davis to fight a by-election on the 42-day rule does. The decision can hardly please Dave Cameron and indeed Davis will fight the election 'without the full resources of the Conservative Party.'

The 42-day rule is supported by something like sixty to seventy per cent of the electorate and voters do not welcome unnecessary by-elections. It could be an opportunity for the Liberal Democrats who have had designs on the seat in the past. In any event, it will be a useful distraction for Gordon Brown and an unwelcome one for the Conservatives.

A full statement from Dave Cameron is awaited, but he is reported to have described the decision as 'courageous' which is a coded way of saying 'foolhardy'.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was just reported on BBC news that Davis has spoken to Nick Clegg and that the Lib Dems may not put up a candidate.

Wyn Grant said...

That's nice of them