Well, there’s too many titles of blog posts and newspaper articles starting with the words ‘David Davis’, isn’t there. I thought I’d hold a mirror up to them1.
Anyway, he’s laid down his reasons for resigning at ConservativeHome, and you can make of it what you will. He’s also launching a new site called ‘David Davis For Freedom‘ (going live tomorrow) and he’s staying on as MP until (rumours say) after PMQs on Wednesday so he can give Gordon Brown a parting shot – although, as Coffee House suggests, Mr Speaker might not give him the chance…
He also heaps praise on the Blogosphere (of which, alas, I still cannot consider myself a part – although you never know what’s downstream). He says:
Fortunately, the Westminster Village does not have a monopoly on political comment and reporting. In marked contrast to some rumour-mongering in the media, the blogosphere rapidly is becoming the real forum of popular debate and it offered a very different take. Frankly, I was surprised and humbled to find that this this site’s survey of Conservatives found that 65 per cent were inspired by my decision.
He also says the public are well behind him, and shame on the Westminster commentariat for being so cynical. Right On, Brother.
How’s that for a link-happy post?
- Clever, you see [↩]
The by-election seems to be causing problems in the Miss Great Britain party – apparently the Blondes and the Brunettes are both fielding candidates. Oh, hang on, that’s for the Henley by-election. No, Miss Great Britain, herself, is standing as a candidate for the Beauties for Britain party in the Haltemprice & Howden one. I think.
Since two MPs have forced a by-election, I was wondering about the Chiltern Hundreds office, given that MPs can’t actually resign.
This from Wiki:
“The position of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds is now used as a procedural device to effect resignation from the House of Commons, as British MPs are not permitted simply to resign their seat. This legal anomaly dates back to a 2 March 1623 resolution of the House of Commons, passed at a time when MPs were often elected to serve against their will.
As an instrument of resignation, the role is usually alternated with that of Steward and Deputy Steward of the Manor of Northstead in Yorkshire. Under the Act of Settlement, any Member of Parliament accepting an office of profit under the Crown must give up his or her seat. An MP applies for the office to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who usually then signs a warrant appointing the now former MP. The Chancellor can in theory deny an application, although the last time this happened was to Viscount Chelsea in 1842. The appointee holds the office until such time as another MP is appointed, or they apply to be released.
The position is currently vacant. The last Crown Steward and Bailiff was David Davis, however he was released from the post by the Chancellor immediately after his appointment in order to fight the by-election he had triggered – he would have been ineligible to stand for re-election whilst still holding the position”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiltern_Hundreds
Things I learn when wondering…
Tizzy
June 18, 2008 at 7:19 pm