Davis launches his campaign

Mr Davis put reversing the 42 days pre-charge detention plans at the top of his list, followed by scrapping ID cards.

The former Tory leadership contender was launching his manifesto at the Willerby Manor Hotel in his former constituency.

He told reporters and supporters at the launch: "It's a choice between a vision of a free Britain which protects our fundamental freedoms and respects personal privacy, and Gordon Brown's vision of an over-weaning, interfering, increasingly authoritarian state interfering in every nook and cranny of our daily lives. That is the choice we face.

"That is the choice I ask the people of Haltemprice and Howden to make."

The contest in the East Yorkshire constituency was triggered when Mr Davis resigned from the House of Commons two weeks ago.

Mr Davis said he decided to force the by-election over Government plans to hold terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge and what he sees as other erosions of civil liberties.

He will face 25 other candidates in the by-election on July 10. The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have already said they will not take part in the contest.

But a range of individuals and smaller parties have officially thrown their hats into the ring. These include the well-known conspiracy theorist David Icke, Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Mad Cow-Girl and Miss Great Britain, Gemma Garrett.

Among the other parties which will be on the ballot paper is the Church of Militant Elvis Party and a representative of Make Politicians History.