“1: Why did the Right Honourable Mr. Davis resign? Wouldn’t his No vote and a public statement on this issue been enough.”
He could have, but he felt very strongly about the issue and there were already many people who opposed extending the right to hold someone without charge to 42 days. If he just made a statement that stated his opposition to it, it wouldn’t have grabbed the attention of the media, the house and the public the way his shocking act has done.
“2: From what I understand none of the other parties will field a candidate so does it make whatever statement Mr. Davis intended mute?”
The Liberal-Democrats, the other main opposition party also strongly oppose the government’s 42 day bill, and have agreed to not to field a candidate in deference to the fact that he is campaigning on this single issue.
“3: Since he will be automatically re-elected is he still a Tory and get his post back as Shadow Home Secretary?”
Yes to the first part, doubtful on the second part. David Cameron has already replaced him as Shadow Home Secratary.
“4: Why is this such an embarassment for the Tories and Cameron?”
I don’t think this is an embarassment for the Tories as such, but it might be an embarassment for David Cameron, who by all accounts did not approve of what David Davis has done and has quickly replaced him as Shadow Home Secratary.
You have to understand that David Davis was the main rival for Cameron during the last leadership contest, and Cameron and his supporters may view this warily because it has the potential to change the dynamic that exists between the two in terms of the influence he holds with the Conservative Party...
Thanks Thundery.