Thursday 12 June 2008

Lib Dems should fight Haltemprice and Howden

I don't often say this about a Conservative politician, but David Davis is to be applauded for his bold move in triggering a by-election on the 42 days detention issue. For a politician to put their own career on the line for a cause they believe in is admirable.

But I'm puzzled and annoyed by the announcement that the Lib Dems won't be fighting the by-election. OK, maybe Davis wouldn't have resigned if he'd thought we would be fighting the by-election, and I'm sure he'd have checked this in advance.

But despite his excellent record of opposing 42-day (and before that 90-day) detention without charge and also his opposition to the government's wretched ID cards scheme, Davis is no liberal. According to They Work For You, he has consistently voted against equal rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. He voted forthe Iraq war. And, according to his Wikipedia listing, he expressed support for the death penalty as recently as 2003. I would therefore have great difficulty in bringing myself to vote for Davis if I were in the seat.

Rather than not fighting the seat, the Lib Dems should be in there putting their case. We should be pointing out that with us, not only do we oppose the 42-day measure, but you get lots of other good things besides, such as lifting the poorest people out of taxation, shifting to greener taxation, investment in key public services, and a radical commitment to decentralising power.

Instead of being in there putting our case, Nick Clegg has made a strategic blunder by indicating we won't fight the seat. But if anyone does fancy fighting the seat as an independent Lib Dem, I will make a pledge to come down and work for that candidate. It is utterly unacceptable that the liberal case would not be made at any by-election.

5 comments:

Tristan said...

He is far more liberal than most politicians... (not say much there).

In the past I suspect he'd have been a Liberal Imperialist - so on the wrong side of some important issues as far as I'm concerned, but still more liberal than the Tories...

The gay rights thing is a bit more troubling - although I suspect some might be opposition to curbs on free speech (so no restrictions on causing offense).

I do think that this is a supremely important issue and agree with not standing as a show of support for his stance. We will fight the seat at the next election, and we will highlight his opposition to many of our policies then.

Bernard Salmon said...

No, Tristan, his opposition on gay rights is to things like an equal age of consent and civil partnerships.

Anonymous said...

"...but you get lots of other good things besides, such as lifting the poorest people out of taxation, shifting to greener taxation, investment in key public services, and a radical commitment to decentralising power."

You forgot the bit about how only the Liberal Democrats can make money grow on trees and alter the laws of nature to deliver Heaven on Earth!

Anonymous said...

At least he's honest about his views on gay rights, unlike so many LibDems who spout all the "right" PC guff and then run anti-gay campaigns if their main opponent happens to be one.

CEO said...

I agree that Nick Clegg has made a strategic blunder. Whilst he might applaud DD for his actions there is no need to sacrifice such an opportunity. If Davis is not ousted now he certainly wont be at the general election. - It makes NC appear more vulnerable than ever but there is little alternative except that David Davis might be the best option as leader. He would pull in flagging Labour supporters and conservatives. He can change his mind on fundamental issues and reignite the lib dem cause. This will be heresy for some but its worth a second look.

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