Dines' Days : You are just plain wrong, Mr Davis

You are just plain wrong, Mr Davis

DAVID Davis may regard his decision to quit as an MP, and fight a by-election on the growth of our suveillance society, as principled and the best way to put the issue into the public arena, but it was an incredibly stupid and egotistic mistake for which the Tories mayt well be punished.

The bulk of the electorate support 42 days for detention of terror suspects without trial. Davis is fighting on an unwinnable issue - does he really think that if Cameron becomes PM he'll rescind 42 days? Of course he won't.

posted on 13 June 2008 09:34 by Graham Dines

Comments

16 June 2008 18:13 by James Goffin

# re: You are just plain wrong, Mr Davis

I've no idea what Davis is up to - it's an odd tactic but I don't doubt his sincerity.
42 days is far too long to hold without charge and has echoes of internment, regarded by most people (including until at least recently the DUP) as a big mistake.
As well as depriving someone innocent of their liberty, the knock-on effects on their lives, jobs and families will be immense.
There may be a majority in support, but there is also a majority in favour of capital punishment - no party is advocating that.
And a measure meant for terrorists will inevitably creep in for other alledged offences. Surveillance laws intended to be used for serious crime are being used by councils to check up on school applications.
Ask the public whether innocent people should be locked up for 42 days without explanation, and they may give a different answer to a query loaded with fear and presumption of guilt.

17 June 2008 10:06 by Graham Dines

# re: You are just plain wrong, Mr Davis

Most of the public would support the locking up of Muslim extremists for 342 days if they believed it would make them safer at work and play.
Parliament is - or should be - the forum for debate. But because MPs have so many holidays and this Government since 1997 has marginalised the Commons and shoehorned the scrutiny of legislation into hours rather days, the parliamentary timetable is a mockery.
If MPs quit everytime they objected when a Bill they disagree with is voted through, then democracy would indeed be in danger.
Davis should have fought from within instead of p...ing from outside the tent.
There is a case for turning civil liberty issues and associated prospective legislation into referendum issues. The argument that the public can't be trusted to weigh up the pros and cons is as insulting as is the Irish vote on the Treaty of Lisbon.

17 June 2008 20:53 by Joybells

# re: You are just plain wrong, Mr Davis

David Davis is wrong on 42 days but right on creeping Government intrusion into our private lives - the surveillance society. In that I wish his campaign well.