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Brown attacks Tory rebel as ex-Sun editor says he'll fight seat
Joe Murphy and Paul Waugh, Evening Standard13.06.08
David Davis's by-election plan was attacked as a "farce" by Gordon Brown today as the Monster Raving Loony Party and a former editor of The Sun emerged as the Tory MP's main opponents.
In a bid to exploit Conservative disarray over Mr Davis's impending resignation, the Prime Minister used a Downing Street news conference to declare that the affair was proof the Opposition was as divided as ever.
Mr Brown gave the clearest signal yet that Labour will not put up a candidate in Mr Davis's York-shire constituency of Haltemprice and Howden, declaring: "I think everyone now recognises that this is a stunt that has become a farce and has revealed the deep divisions of the party."
Ex-Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie today said he was "90 per cent certain" to stand against Mr Davis if Labour failed to take part in the byelection that is expected on 10 July.
But the former shadow home secretary, 59, hit back at the Prime Minister and taunted him for being "cowardly" over his plans to extend detention without charge to 42 days for terror suspects. He also welcomed the chance to take on Mr MacKenzie. "Bring it on, we will take on [Rupert] Murdoch's money," Mr Davis said.
The Tory MP, who has quit the Shadow Cabinet, was forced to admit his frontbench career may be over. Asked if he had effectively thrown it away, he told Radio 4's Today programme: "That may well turn out to be the case. We are a party, not a regiment, and we are in politics for reasons of principle. And to carry this out requires a degree of risk or sacrifice."
Seeking to drive a wedge between the popular reaction to his cause and that of commentators, he said: "The Westminster village fusses about who's up and who's down, but frankly this is trivial compared to what has happened to 800 years of liberty in just a decade."
The Liberal Democrats, Ukip and BNP said they would sit out the by-election. The Monster Raving Loony Party pledged to put up a candidate called Madcow girl.
Mr MacKenzie said media tycoon Mr Murdoch had encouraged him to stand and was willing to bankroll his campaign. The Sun supported Gordon Brown's counter-terrorism laws strongly.
Mr MacKenzie said: "It's not a publicity stunt. The Sun has always been very up for the 42 days, or perhaps 420 days, frankly.
"I don't view my civil liberties as being at risk but I do view my life being at risk if I'm on the Tube or the train and some bad guy wants to blow me up or my family up. I don't feel constantly threatened by CCTV, I don't feel worried by ID cards, I'm happy to produce my driving licence everywhere I go.
"If I'm not doing anything wrong, I don't feel I'm under any kind of threat."
Mr Davis had hoped to lead a by-election battle against the Government over civil liberties. He said: "If the Labour Party chooses not to defend its policies, if they choose not to take part in the democratic process, they are going to show they are ashamed of their policies and frankly it's contemptuous of the British electorate."
However, there was a furious Tory reaction to Mr Davis's move. Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine said he had given up his chance to influence Tory policy: "To throw it all away for a byelection - it will prove nothing."
Sir Patrick Cormack was the first Tory MP to publicly criticise Mr Davis, calling the by-election a "colossal misjudgment". For Labour, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said the Tories were like "ferrets fighting in a sack".
Reader views (16)
This sounds farcical coming from the lead stunt - man of Britishness, Gordon Brown.
It takes just one good man like David Davis to give the British people some hope that they may not, after all be sucked into EU citizenship with it's corrupt system of government which is fast catching on here.
We should hope that the other nation states of Europe find their 'good man', then we could return to the 'trading Europe' which we were promised and still have our laws and freedoms intact.
- Kacey, Devon UK
For Labour to refuse to fight the by-election essentially shows they don't have the courage of their own convictions - or what they say are their convictions - well, this week at least.
DD is shaking up the Westminster "club" of professional politicians, of all parties, who are more concerned with their own spot on the gravy train than addressing such "trivialities" as doing the job for which they were supposedly elected. Good for him.
- Stan, USA
As far as I'm concerned, Davis is a hero.
For once, a politico willing to put principle before career.
Well done !
- Bob, Liverpool, UK
I think that David is saying what most UK citizens are thinking. If he was in my constituency I'd vote for him.
- Peter Moore, Nuneaton, UK
It is right that an MP should draw attention to a serious issue. That is partly why we have them. Gordon Brown abused all that is honourable about Parliament in forcing 42 days out of one chamber into another. It is Gordon Brown who should have listened and abided by a fair process and result but too much was at stake and he chose to lose his integrity rather than his Premiership.
My only criticism is that I am not sure whether a bye election can be fought solely on the single issue of 42 days as it is just as important to resource the police,enforce terrorist laws,uphold free speech,protect people etc all of which indirectly affect our ability to deliver charges within 28 days. It is not 42 days or nothing. It is about compromising and charging within 28 days or releasing or extending. I agree with the compromise, so does Mr. Davis but if it is worded as a compromise some might see it as weak. Unfortunately liberty is invisible and does not weigh anything into the argument unless it is taken away from you. Good luck Mr. Davis if you can convince a free electorate that they should value something they take for granted. And well done to Nick Clegg for realising what was being fought for. As for Gordon Brown he is digging himself deeper into a pit of shame. Maybe he never had the courage to admit he did not want to be a leader but just a controller .
- Nick London, London UK
Frankly its a real shame there are not more MP's like Mr Davis. In my book he has buckets of character and he deserves the support of all his constituents to send a message to the Labour party and others. I'm sick and tired of lies, duplicity, deception that has turned politics on its head. MP's now have a worse reputation than second hand car salesmen. Mr Brown's problem with the truth has lead the way. I wish Mr Davis the best of luck.
- Jas, Alders
Farce and Gordon Brown are three words that go together well.
- Steve W, West Mids
I doubt Hazel Blears knows what a ferret looks like!!
- roger macnamara, Lymington, UK
As a paid up member of the Labour Party I have to tell you that I had become disillusioned at some current Government actions, but this move by Mr. Davis has made me realise why I joined The Labour Party and has woken me up to see that I am not disillusioned with Labour, but in fact am proud at what they are doing, their committed job in the challenging world. I thank Mr. Davis for waking me up. This is the kick for we people who voted Labour for the right reasons to realise we need to stay in it to win it and to win over arguments. This is such a silly by-election and if Labour decides to show case a factual pump priming campaign I will be glad to lend a hand. Thank you Mr. Davis for awakening my Labour Spirit – now I know Gordon Brown will spring back and over the coming months will present a quality driven empowerment for local communities range of ideas that will have us all glad we have stronger, safer and protective policies in place.
- Mike Felse, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Mr Davies has made an error of judgement. Like it or not, Murdoch influences popular opinion in this country through his ownership of press and sky television, and Mr Davies' bring it on stance is not politically astute. It's worth remembering that The Sun backed Blair before his first election victory, that was a key success for Labour and David Cameron would want to secure that for the next election. Such comments won't help. In addition the London bombings were orchestrated by a man from Yorkshire of Pakistani descent and this campaign could end up having racist overtones. I don't agree with the 42 days detention. It was a disaster in Northern Ireland and it didn't exactly stop the bombs. All it will do is alienate minorities and cover up sloppy policing and intelligence, but the majority who won't be affected by 42 days, who do perceive that they are at risk from terrorist actions, will most likely regard it as reasonable. Mr Davies could end up ratifying Labour's proposal not challenging it.
- Elle, London
Who is paying for this total debacle? I hope it is David Davis and not us the taxpayers.
- Tramin Renrut, Dartford Kent
Gordon Brown is the worst Prime Minister that this country has ever had to put up with, and he was voted in by one vote, Tony Blairs.
I have been writing to the Labour website every day, telling them where they are going wrong, and now they have blocked me from using their site, this is a taste of what you will get if the Labour Party stays in power.
There are many Labour Voters who will not Vote Labour again, and many who will vote Conservative, or Liberal. If this man and his party stays in power, this country is doomed.
Now, Tony Blair has four houses, and the last one cost us, Four Million Pounds.
He now has a salary of thousands, for doing nothing.
- Ray Pidgley, Spilsby, Lincs
About the biggest danger he faces is if some Tory nobody comes along and tries to contest his 'safe' Conservative seat as an easy way into the club.
- Rogan, DFW Texas
Wow a contest between a politician and red top journalist. Could be exciting!
Good luck to Mr. Davis though for trying to have principles at a time when not having any is deemed a positive character trait and even a must have to be a Prime Minister. Yes Brown - I mean you.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague, Czech Republic
It's the economy. At the very moment the country needs the leadership of the shadow Home Secretary he decides to resign over 'Civil Liberties' issues.
The last thing this country needs is for this shambolic and incompetent Government to crawl back into power because of this stunt.
- Alastair Adams, Worcester Park, Surrey
I do hope the man of Kent stands. I do hope the Sun backs him and I do hope they both suffer a humiliating defeat. It was NOT the Sun that did it is a headline I would love to see as Murdoch is forced to lose its deposit!
I am sick and tired of this Australian come American believing he controls this country. I hope the people of Hull tell Mckenzie to go and sit in a cell for 420 days.
- Alan Eastwood, Chingford, Essex
