I just want to make a brief comment about the shameless opportunism of David Davis. Let me say in advance that I agree with the principles on which he is planning to re-contest his seat, however, if he was so committed to the principles of justice and liberty, why did he not resign his seat much earlier?
From a utilitarian perspective, 42 days detention without charge is clearly much worse than 28 days. However, from a deontological standpoint - a standpoint which, like Mr Davis, is concerned with principles not consequences - there is not a significant difference. Plainly, if 6 weeks represents an unnacceptable erosion of our fundamental civil liberties then so does 4 weeks.
In this light, Mr Davis' principled stand is nothing more than opportunism. He wants to make a name for himself as a man of uncompromising values during a time when, for various reasons, the public has lost faith in politics and politicians. We can't even respect David Davis for his bravery because, thanks to the rapidly plummeting fortunes of the Labour Party, the move is virtually risk free.
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