Will the Government help David Davis?
Peter Hoskin 9:01am
On Saturday, James asked CoffeeHousers to suggest how David Davis can keep his campaign in the news. He's doing alright so far – most of the major Monday columnists have penned Davis-themed articles this morning. But I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be Government blunders which ultimately keep the former shadow home secretary in the headlines.
Take today's papers, for instance. What news on the Home Secretary? Well, she's been summoned before the Commons Home Affairs Committee to explain not one – but two – embarrassing document-loss scandals that have come to light during the past week.
These appearances – and any similar blunders in future – can only lend Davis' message extra piquancy. Why should we trust the government on 42-day detention, on ID cards and on CCTV surveillance when the Home Office finds it so difficult to keep its own house in order? It's a question that even supporters of those schemes could find themselves asking – thereby broadening Davis' coalition. As Trevor Kavanagh writes in The Sun today:
"Most Sun readers will instinctively support 42 days’ detention without trial for terror suspects if it helps prevent an atrocity on the streets of Britain.They would accept ID cards as a sensible way of co-ordinating swathes of information already in the public domain if it made life easier as well as more secure.
CCTV cameras can undoubtedly be a force for good and DNA data banks have put killers and rapists in jail who would otherwise have escaped justice.
But along with many Sun readers, I don’t trust this Government, the police or the State bureaucracy to discriminate between keeping an eye out for our well-being and spying on us...
...If we can’t trust Whitehall’s most senior intelligence official with top-secret data on al-Qaeda, why should we expect unqualified, unsupervised junior clerks to act with discretion?
If the State can "lose" 25million computer files loaded with personal information on welfare claimants, why should we trust a new multi-billion-pound NHS computer with our medical notes?"
For Davis' campaign, those who think as Kavanagh does are the equivalent of floating voters. The more blunders the Government makes, the easier it will be for Davis to win the battle for their hearts and minds.
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Elizabeth
June 16th, 2008 9:16am Report this commentIs this the Kavanagh I saw slagging off DD? Well!!
Nicholas
June 16th, 2008 9:20am Report this commentI have commented elsewhere that through its repressive laws and regulations, the government expects a much higher standard of compliance and diligence from the public than it is able to demonstrate itself.
It's "zero tolerance" when it comes to us, persecuted to the full letter of the law or local regulation, but it's just "Sorry, we'll try harder" when it comes to a government cock-up.
The injustice is plain for everyone to see - except the government.
Steve Garner
June 16th, 2008 9:23am Report this commentKavanagh's article is a good one given that he's from the Sun. However, you've printed the key sentence from it and the one that makes Davis' case. 42 days detention will not help prevent an atrocity, in fact, it will make one more likely by helping to radicalise young Muslims.
John Corfield
June 16th, 2008 9:38am Report this commentDavid Davis I have admired for years but am completely nonplussed at his resignation on a this issue which as Home Secretary (maybe) in a Cameron Government he would have repealed.
Me thinks he cajoled for oppossing it against his leaders and party's instincts to oppose the 42 day bill just to have egg on his face when defeated.
His reaction is seemingly that of a child deprived of his goodies lashing out petulently not the stand for principle alone.
Charlie
June 16th, 2008 9:49am Report this commentKavanagh attacking DD appears to be the result of Rupert wishing to earn a a few favours with Cameron if in case he becomes PM.
Kit
June 16th, 2008 9:54am Report this comment"That, of course, would have been in the days before the advent of human rights and civil liberties for which he is now prepared to die in a ditch."
Kavanagh's grasp of history is weak or does he think David Davis pre-dates Ancient Greece.
Old Hack
June 16th, 2008 1:08pm Report this commentThe Sun appears to be hedging its bets.
TK has good political instincts. The issue is not really 42 days but the power of the state.
Since when has the Sun been in favour of an Orwellian state? Its not and never has been.
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