So Andy your only real objection is not with Davis voicing concern with New Labour's continuing attacks on our liberties but the fact that the politician making a principled stand where he puts his position as MP on the line (or "job" as many unprincipled Professional Politicians across all Parties might call it) is that he is a Tory rather than Lib Dem or Labour.

The Independant used to live up to its name but now it is just so "Tribal". Within a short space of time 3 articles rubbishing a stand on liberties just because it is not from the left.

So who exactly does Mr Davis think he is impressing with this "principled" stand? As Mr McSmith rightly points out the tories would be every bit as draconian, if not more so were they to be in power. Maybe he hasn't been getting his fair share of headlines recently, in comparison to say Cameron or George Osbourne.

Again, as the article points out he's unlikely to lose but it would serve him right if he did as I'm sure there are better and more efective ways of make a point.

To AMcS
Yes, you may well be correct Andy, Davis may end up being an unimpressive non-entity, but, and it's a big but, I, and I suspect the majority of all persuasions of the UK public, admires a politician who stands up to be counted...such a rare breed nowadays. Or, would you rather have the stereotype majority who have only one interest, namely self, self self. You only have to read the articles words from Blunkett, a serial, wriggle out of anything politician, until even he could not dodge the bullet any longer. No, a few more like, nay a lot more like Davis would do the UK a world of good. PS, Buy the way, I'm not a Tory.

Frankly the only regrettable thing about this whole fiasco is the cowardly Labour MPs who voted against their conscience for a reprehensible policy. Let snot even go into those MPs who actually believe this 42 day amendment will make Britain a safer place. Perhaps they should have voted against certain aspects of our foreign policy if they were so concerned about such things?

The Labour party are unrecognisable, taking on statist, right-wing policies with a fervour which would make the hardest right wing politician proud. Except we have to rely on people like that now to stand up for our long fought freedoms.

i don't remember Davis protesting about CCTV when the Tories introduced it all over the place

McSmith,
Does it not occur to you that David Davis might win and be ostracised; might never be Home Secretary; might spend weeks being derided by peopple like you; might even, who knows? lose his seat and his career . . . . and yet still not regret it. It's called keeping your principles and retaining your honour. These things matter to some people.

Why all this fuss over a pathetic grandstanding exercise by a failed leadership candidate?
The Labour Party should agree not to field a candidate in this election so as to reduce the costs to the taxpayer and minimise the campaign.
A parliamentary vote was taken and the issue decided, end of story.

A fire destroyed the Reichstag Building on February 27, 1933. Hitler blamed the fire on the Communists. The fire symbolically destroyed the only remaining institution capable of placing reins on Hitler's grab for dictatorial power. Although the case is still somewhat disputed, the fire was very likely instigated by the Nazis and blamed on a Dutch Communist who had committed arson, Marinus van der Lubbe. There was no sign whatsoever of a revolution, but van der Lubbe gave the Nazis the excuse they needed and the pretext for new emergency measures.

Hitler induced a confused and frightened Hindenburg to sign a decree euphemistically called, "For the Protection of the People and State," suspending all of the basic rights of citizens and imposing the death sentence for arson, sabotage, resistance to the decree, and disturbances to public order. Arrests could be made on suspicion, and people could be sentenced to prison without trial or the right of counsel. The suspension was never lifted throughout the entire period of Nazi rule, and the decree of February 28th destroyed fundamental guarantees under the Weimar democracy.

Andy McSmith -"because in their hearts many of them of think that terrorist suspects should be locked away where they are no threat."
Of course, there are many in New Labour who feel the same, and many more in both US political parties, who do not care about civil liberties or Habaeus Corpus. I always believed that "suspects" were just that, people who had not been proven guilty, and there fore the law should try to determine their fate as quickly as possible. Are we going to tread the same illegal path as the US, and start to dismantle the legal process?
We need politicians like Davis Davis, who will take a stand against what they believe is wrong. I take my hat off to people like Clare Short and the late Robin Cook, and now David Davis, for deciding that action is better than words, or in the case of many politicians - silence.

Thank goodness one MP is making a stand!

I think he should join the Liberals - he and Vince cable would make a seriouisly intelligent experienced team + plus Clegg of course.

I congratulate him for standing up to what is wrong and which will not protect the public in any way.

It seems that David Davis has forgotten that it was a Tory Government of which he is immensely proud that locked up (interned) foreign nationals during World War Two - that was for a great deal longer than 42 days and they did not receive large amounts of compensation if a mistake was made either. Would Mr Davis have also preferred we did not have the CCTVs that enabled to Police to track down the July 21st bombers or find out about the July 7th bombers? When the Conservatives are high in the opinion polls and he phones the leader of the Lib Dems before making his decision (always helps to have fewer opponents) he is hardly likely to lose his seat.

Have a read through the UK website comments sections - BBC, Independent, Sky news - anywhere you want.

It is clear that not only are the Labour politicians out of touch with British people, but also many of the journalists and 'political punters'. The fear, I presume, is that when the real MEN stand up to be counted, the half wits who currently hold the ''power'' (political and journalistic) will be shown up for the people that they really are.

Its people like David Davis who were buried in the cemetries of Northern France about 65 years ago.

Cameronp: Foot in mouth! You have completely misread Steve of Manchetser's post. What he has said is absolutely correct, your comment is complete nonsense.
I suggest that you give it another read and, if you still don't understand the reference to cemetaries in France, come back and ask for help!

Its people like David Davis who were buried in the cemetries of Northern France about 65 years ago.

Posted by: Steve Manchester | Thursday, 12 June 2008 at 05:44 PM

It's people who post comments like this that sicken me. Members of my family are 'buried in the cemeteries of Northern France' and my father was one of the lucky ones who returned. Like millions of other Tommies, he voted to return a Labour Government in 1945.
He fought to keep Britain free from Nazi tyranny and also realised that our freedoms can be taken away by those who make use of them for undemocratic purposes.
A majority of the British public support the 42 day rule because they understand that life is the greatest freedom of all, one for which terrorists have no respect whatsoever.
Davis' stunt will appear as the non-event it is if all other parties stand down.

The YouGov survey found that almost three quarters of the public (69 per cent) support raising the detention limit from 28 days to 42 days "in exceptional circumstances". A quarter (24 per cent) oppose the plans.

YouGov poll results. No doubt many Tories secretly supported raising the limit but were told to toe the line in order to appear to be the Party of civil liberties.
What a joke......

Being italian and living in italy I've come to this website to see if the problems we have in italy with medias and the information establishment was really one of a kind. And yes, we have our own terrible peculiarities, but this comment by Andy McSmith on David Davies speech makes me see that also you, up there in the UK, have your problems. I don't know David Davies, I don't know english political discussions in detail, but I read David Davies speech in its entirety and I found in McSmith's comment to it the clear trace of a sad habit of some italian so called journalists which is summed in a famous sentence by Paul Valery, the french poet: "if you cannot demolish the reasoning, demolish the one who does it". This is just the case: David Davies (irrespective of any speculation on his party, political life and everything else) has said things of capital importance, on a subject which is, in the end, the most fundamental for present and future human life and rights on this planet. McSmith didn't say a word about this, he only presented speculations on wheter he really risks his seat in the house or not, in the obvious intent of discrediting his speech to the house. We in italy know very well this kind of behaviour... just remember, despotism in all its forms and with all its court spreads like an oil stain...don't let them rob the freedom you, before any other country, once conquered. England is great, it cannot be transformed in an open air jail.

A man of courage and principle - the very best kind of Tory - as Robin Cook was the very best kind of Socialist. If Cameron backs him wholeheartedly it might mean I would consider voting Conservative for the first time in my life. Don't criticise him for not speaking up sooner - when the trend towards authoritarianism is gradual it takes a while before one realises that we are descending into the abyss.

Surely the whole point is that he is doing something to DRAW ATTENTION to this issue of civil liberties and the encroachment of the state into every nano-aspect of our lives. Why do you (Andy) care if it's a 'folish gesture' or not, posterity will decide that. Why don't you instead answer your own question: why are we relying on a right wing conservative to give voice to our fears...

Where is the proof, beyond reasonable doubt that 42 days dtention is required? If the need for 42 days detention is beyond doubt then the government should provide it.
The use of CCTV cameras often gives a false sense of security. How often do muggers wear caps and hooded garments or tapes be of poor quality. A well known trick is for muggers to change clothes after an attack.Much of this vaulted increase in technology appears to justify less police on the beat. Catching criminals and terrorists depends upon intelligence which requires The Police developing trust with the comminity in which they operate.As Mao said " The communist fighter swims in the sea of the people".
Woiuld those support 42 day detention please explain in deatil how detaining an innocent person for up for 40 or so day and then rleasing them will increase support for law and order. As D Abbott said both a former army officer and terrorist with experience of N Ireland explained that internment was a superb recruiter for the PIRA.

Davis' move also appears to draw attention to the failure of most political hacks on the issue of civil liberties as they are becoming cheerleaders to our loss of liberty.

Could that be why so many are trying to spike him since he exposes their own miserable failure?

Cameronp;"Why all this fuss over a pathetic grandstanding exercise by a failed leadership candidate?"Is this not what we have as a prime minister?