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'Now Cameron should bring back David Davis'
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor20 Jan 2009
DAVID CAMERON should follow up his reshuffle with a recall for David Davis, says former minister Michael Portillo.
The Tory leader yesterday brought back Kenneth Clarke as shadow business secretary in an attempt to make his team harder-edged and more populist.
The switch of Chris Grayling to shadow home secretary and Eric Pickles to party chairman were widely seen as an attempt to reach out to skilled working class, northern and male voters.
But Mr Portillo said that Mr Cameron had to go further and find a post for Mr Davis, who quit the shadow cabinet last summer to fight a by-election on the issue of civil liberties. Mr Portillo said: "I would like to see David Davis come back - that would strengthen the front bench further." Mr Portillo, who narrowly lost out on the Tory leadership in 2001, praised the return of Mr Clarke.
He told the BBC: "David Cameron is being very bold - he's taking a risk, but it's the right sort of risk. If you field your strongest possible team it shows you're not intimidated."
Mr Portillo added: "Ken Clarke is not just for Christmas. If the Conservatives win the election, he is going to expect a key position within the Cabinet.
"But to be sure of winning the election - even more sure of winning than David Cameron already is - it's all hands to the pump." Mr Portillo cautioned Mr Clarke about potential bossiness: "I say this with all kindness, but he does often say, 'I've seen this all this before, and this is how you should do it', so he's going to have to be careful with that."
There has been speculation Mr Davis could be brought back to head a Tory commission on either civil liberties or on the strategic future of Afghanistan.
Reader views (23)
Bring him back. Unlike most politicians i trust him, and think he would be a huge help to Cameron's team.
- Dan, London, 21/01/2009 17:00
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He should be Leader of the House charged with Parliamentary reform ; to restore confidence in the role of Parliament.
- R Jones, Bristol UK, 21/01/2009 13:42
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I think Davis is too much of an intellectual light weight, and clearly far too mecurial for Cameron to trust with another place in the Shadow Cabinet (but we will see). As for those here who seem to think we are living in a Police state: I suggest you get some perspective: perhpas by informing yourselves about life in places such as Burma, Iran and much of sub-Saharan Africa. That is no reasonn for complacency, but the suggestion that democracy and liberty have died in Britian is infantile.
- Alan, London, 21/01/2009 10:59
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Top team means exactly that-the top team and DD is one.DC is becoming more impressive by the day.Well done and keep going.
- A Moreno, Luxembourg, 21/01/2009 07:53
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Bring back Davis, light the blue touch paper and stand back to watch the Conservative Party implode.
Cameron has said that Obama showed that people are ready for change, so what does he do, he brings back all the has beens with their old, unelectable, ideas.
- Andrew W1, London, 20/01/2009 21:24
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Why not bring back Michael Portillo too, he has more experience of governing than the cowboys currently in charge?
- R.F.Ruth, Brentwood UK, 20/01/2009 17:39
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I agree with Portillo for once that Davies should be brought back.
- Tony, wales, 20/01/2009 17:37
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Much as I hate to admit it I have to admit that Mike Tully has hit the nail on the head. Ironically democracy died with a Socialist? government. RIP.
- R.F.Ruth, Brentwood UK, 20/01/2009 17:34
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The fact that he abandoned a cushy job to fight for a principle makes him 'one of the few' understanding and practicing honesty and integrity in politics today. He should have been the Conservative leader.
- Thorrun, Brentwood UK, 20/01/2009 17:23
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The idiots in the UK will still vote labour no matter what because their fathers did.
- Mike Tally, Surrey, 20/01/2009 14:26
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Yes, bring back David Davis; he is that rare thing in politics today - a man of principle.
- Adam, London, UK, 20/01/2009 14:17
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Martin from London - you're totally missing the point (which makes you a good Labour voter since gordon never gets the point either). It's not about age, it's about experience. David Cameron has done exactly the right thing in bringing back Ken Clarke's considerable experience to the shadow front bench. He now. needs to show that he can manage disparate views within his cabinet - which any good leader shpould be able to do.
- Malcolm, London, 20/01/2009 13:43
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Just need David Davis now! I'm sure David Cameron is a big enough man to forgive him for his day in the sun over Civil Liberties - after all somebody has to stop this total control of we "citizens" by this Orwellian Govt.
- Anne, Leyburn England, 20/01/2009 13:30
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These people are all heavyweights. Good on Mr. Cameron to be able to call on them. More shame for Crash Gordon that he does not have any.
- Peteo, London, 20/01/2009 13:18
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Good move David, shows you can work with people even if they dont agree on everything. We really do need this strong team,with its excellent ideas for the UK, NOW. All the Gov is doing is putting the uk into debt and asking us to go into debt to bail them out. This is how they started the problem so how is it going to solve it !! We need some real ideas not stupid soundbites, Al D says banks should support good business, but they do not need support it is the weak businesses that are complaining because they run on debt.When we get back to real budgets then the uk will be strong.Go to it DC and team.
- Pat M Derby, derby uk, 20/01/2009 12:54
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Camoron is too weak to have a potential rival in the Shadow Cabinet. He seems to prefer his Old Etonian Cronies and second-raters like Osborne who are no threat to him.
- Ppotter, Romford England, 20/01/2009 12:23
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Go one step further and bring Mrs.Thatcher back! It is sad that the Conservative party has to call back 'pensioners' to give them any credibility.
- Martin, UK London, 20/01/2009 12:09
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Well I guess Zippy, George and Bungle always had a boring old guy keeping them in check when they were on telly so why not now!
- Garrath, Exeter, UK, 20/01/2009 11:54
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David Davis holds too many karats to be left unused on the back benches. He also has a huge appeal to all categories of voters.
- Horace, London, UK, 20/01/2009 11:26
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Mr DAVID DAVIS would be the best person in that job he as PROVED his HONESTY with cival liberties, HONESTY not a word you can never use with our politicians IT HURTS
- Mr R L Pratt, HARLOW ESSEX, 20/01/2009 11:25
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It does seem that the Conservatives keep on doing the right moves. I hope they can take over the Nu Labor mess soon and take the UK out of its depression!
- Georgie, Islington, London, 20/01/2009 11:00
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Much better plan. All the Conservatives need to do now is keep everyone's personal ambitions under check and wait . . .
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 20/01/2009 10:45
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Yes, bring him back. He has the depth and experience needed. To be honest, if Basil Brush was bought in it would show up the charlatans in Government.
- Roger, Surrey, 20/01/2009 10:23
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