Davis threatened me - but I'm still on his side
By guest author, Mark Oaten MP
I've seen and heard so many political obituaries for David Davis over the weeks since he stood down. Political pundits see him as a star who gave up the chance to be Home Secretary in a moment of madness. But isn't that the point? Even with so much to lose, David stood up for what he believes in. That takes courage.
We haven't always been the best of friends: he once threatened to punch my nose in, and I've described him as disgusting. But I, for one, support his decision wholeheartedly, and this week I went up to canvass for him in Haltemprice and Howden, where he contests a byelection on Thursday. I did it because I believe in the principle he is standing for, and because I've found him to be intelligent, passionate and a liberal, willing to sacrifice anything to stick to his principles. You don't need me to tell you that's a rarity in politics these days.
When I came close to wobbling on 90 days he held firm. (That's also when he informed me that if I did shift my position he would punch me in the nose.) He is totally consistent in what he says. And despite the bad press, his resignation wasn't 'madness' - it was a masterstroke. The suddenness of it didn't surprise me. Davis is a restless fella. It's in his character to add a bit of spice to his and our political life.
I was pleased Nick Clegg immediately asked our troops not to fight in the by-election. He has been very firm in his backing over what David is doing – that to me is the right strategy.
A pointer to what might happen if there was a hung Parliament at the next election? Maybe. After all it's not just on 42 days that there has been a shared Tory/Liberal agenda - take ID cards, freedom of protest and speech and opposition to the war in Iraq. The open dialogue between Davis and Clegg shows a political maturity we lack far too often. It would have made no sense to fight over the 42 day issue. Let's raise the banner of civil liberties together, and put the ball fimly in the Government's court.
Mark Oaten is the Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester.
'Intelligent, passionate, sticks to principles. You don't need me to tell you that's a rarity in politics these days.' Indeed, not.
Posted by: john problem | Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 08:39 AM
Er, Mark, the Tories voted for the war in Iraq - please don't claim they didn't.
Posted by: Anthony | Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 10:47 AM
Mark Oaten showing the same excellent judgement he showed in his leadership bid?
Davis and other Tories are not liberal, they're libertarian; that means wanting the freedom for the privileged to do whatever they choose regardless of the consequences to others, very different from liberal views on fairness.
The Tories were pro-war in Iraq, and they will be pro-ID card and pro-internment when they get into power, just wait and see!
Posted by: Sam C | Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 11:31 AM
The Davis stunt is about civil liberties don’t you know? Ask any naïve, dead from the neck up dupe.
Campaign for Davis! Join the fool’s parade!
Because this fine upstanding defender of freedom would have curtailed the rights of the the Birmingham Six, Guildford Four, Maguire Seven and any number of others with a rope and the standard drop.
The paladin for civil liberties has never criticised the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 enacted by the previous Tory government, which removed a defendant’s right to silence, thereby eroding the basic rights 1. of presumption of innocence until proven guilty and 2. that exercising the right to silence should not prejudice the defence in a criminal trial.
Davis the civil libertarian campaigned against the repeal of Clause 28, opposed the equal age of consent and the right of gay and lesbian couples to adopt children, and was strongly in favour of lowering the limit for legal abortions.
And why six weeks when four will do?
We bring you the Haltemprice and Howden Popular Front. Onwards to victory!
Anyone who campaigns for tory vermin in any way shape or form is a scab. Davis is the worst front man any civil liberties lobby could have, a personal and political disaster, associating the defence of our rights with the right wing of the Tory Party. Fellow travellers are making a big mistake backing him.
Posted by: DSTPFW | Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 12:01 PM
Clegg & Cameron working together? Beware false prophets. Thou knowest not what you're voting for.
Posted by: Graham Boucher | Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 12:34 PM
Considering what has been revealed in the press, I'm amazed Mark Oaten sees fit to call any other inhabitant of the planet 'disgusting'.
Posted by: jez | Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 12:34 PM
Oaten, already a ridiculous relic, only adds absurdity to his ruined reputation with this rubbish, rushed out rot.
If Clegg, let alone Oaten, was a true Liberal, he would have jumped at the challenge to expose Davis and his fellow Tories for the fakes they are. "DD of the SS" a liberal? Bring back Capital Punishment?
The LibDems face meltdown at the next election, as those Tory seats they have held since 1997 return home. They should be exposing Cameron's shallow "caring conservatism" crap for the thinly disguised right-wing return of the toffs elite it really is.
Instead, they have a sub-Cameron clone leading them into what he presumably hopes will be a hung parliament in which he can do deals with the Tories.
Was ever an electorate more ill-served?
We are offered toff Cameron, thinly disguised conservative Clegg, or Heathcliff Brown!
Nigel Farage, now!
Posted by: Harlan Leyside | Thursday, 10 July 2008 at 11:45 PM
Mark Oaten, the moral philosopher. The social commentator. The rent boys' friend.
Posted by: Marc O'Polo | Friday, 11 July 2008 at 10:28 AM