MAIL COMMENT: What politicians can learn from Mr Davis

They just couldn't believe their ears in the Westminster village last week. What? A Shadow Home Secretary resigning his seat on a point of principle? Absurd! Pundits and politicians queued to accuse David Davis of petulantly pursuing self-interest at the expense of his party.

But who's looking out of touch now? Four days on, something extraordinary is happening. A poll shows huge support for Mr Davis. He is being deluged with offers of help in his by-election campaign. The internet debate is running heavily in his favour.

Meanwhile, maverick Labour MP Bob Marshall Andrews says he shares Mr Davis's dismay at at the relentless growth of the Big Brother state and will help in this election. Other Labour MPs may chip in too. Iraqi war hero Colonel Tim Collins has offered to speak on Davis's behalf.

One thing is clear. His quixotic decision may have baffled most of our politicians, but it has struck a resounding chord with the public - even though this same public doesn't seem to share his hostility to Government plans to detain terror suspects for 42 days without charge.

But then, this phenomenon isn't really about 42 days, or even concerns over official snooping.

No, it reflects the ever widening gap between a remote, shamelessly self-serving political class and an electorate sick to the back teeth of being ignored, patronised and told lies.

Take this Government's dishonesty over a referendum on the European Constitution. Labour promised in two General Election manifestos that the issue would be put to a national vote.

Now with the complicity of the Lib Dems, who also promised a referendum, it is breaking that pledge by shoehorning the Lisbon Treaty (aka the constitution) though Parliament this week.

And that is to say nothing of Labour's dismal record on so many other issues, from Iraq to immigration. Or the sheer snouts-in-the-trough greed on display among MPs at Westminster and the even sleazier European parliament.

Voters have had enough. Whether or not they agree with Mr Davis's views on civil liberties, they clearly like his courage, his plain speaking and his willingness to fight for what he believes. Wouldn't other politicians be wise to take note?

 A wounded Church

Nobody turns a hair these days when a gay couple confirm their commitment in a civil ceremony. And if they happen to be Anglicans, it isn't particularly unusual to have a blessing in church.

But with the first 'marriage' of two male Anglican priests - complete with wedding vows, trumpets, incense, a choir singing in Latin and rose-petal confetti - the Anglican communion has been pushed to the brink of a disastrous schism.

By ignoring every warning and promoting their cause so provocatively, those involved may believe they have struck a blow for gay rights.

But they have also undermined the Archbishop of Canterbury's authority, and ensured even more internecine battles - this when we need a Church that can offer a lead in the moral confusions of our time and give a voice to the weak and helpless. How sad.

 Mixed messages

Should England copy Scotland's bold plan to stop drinkers under 21 buying cut-rate booze in supermarkets and off-licences? Of course. It would be a useful step towards reducing violence and crime.

Just one problem. What excuse could Ministers find for restricting alcohol sales in shops, when their promotion of all-hours pub opening encouraged so much bingeing and brawling in the first place?