David Davis - No Libertarian
Bensix provided a valuable link in the comments section, which I consider well worthy of repetition. Quite simply David Davis lacks any credentials to the title of “Libertarian” which has seemingly been constantly heaped upon him by all sides of the media. That link evidences as much even without mentioning his standard reactionary stance upon drugs {the outright idiocy included in Ian Duncan Smith’s report on the topic received not a whisper}. He failed to attack Section 28, a vile law with just as little evidence for necessity as 28 days. He voted against gay adoption, he only avoided voting against civil partnerships seemingly through his absence as there is little to suggest he would support such a measure given past form.
I respect David Davis for taking this risk {it fails to surprise me that a challenger has appeared who should pose a threat even in the absence of a Labour campaign, an event of such high profile was bound to attract such attention}. I think that the argument of him supporting 28 days is a weak one as this compromise was the only one which stood any chance of defeating the government. It is much along the same reasoning as that outlined to me by Ann Widdecombe while giving a speech at my school whereby she explained that her opposition to abortion was not expressed in votes for outright bans but for whichever proposals it seemed the pro-life MPs could muster enough supports to turn out a decent showing for. David Davis is clearly as opposed to 42 Day Detention as Widdecombe foeticide and claiming otherwise is unfair. That he is willing to stand the chance of sacrificing career for conviction is a striking and valuable move that should earn him considerable respect and sets him apart from the professional politicians who now dominate the Commons.
But the man is no libertarian; and to state as much is a grotesque distortion of that flawed but noble political position.
He also supports the death penalty and wants to repeal the Human Rights Act. Have a read of this: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/06/i_cant_remember_a_political.html