Huh??

David Davis’s bizarre decision to resign and fight a by-election on the issue of 42 days’ detention is causing widespread astonishment. His statement – surely one of the most egotistical, self-regarding examples of the genre – grandly states that as a result of his gesture

at least my electorate and the nation as a whole would have had the opportunity to debate and consider one of the most fundamental issues of the day.

But the issue is being debated in Parliament. That’s what his constituents sent Davis to Parliament to do. Ok, the pork-barrel nature of last night’s vote was appalling. But the party Davis represents did actually oppose the measure in vigorous terms – largely thanks to Davis’s own efforts – and will continue to do so in the Lords, where it is expected the measure will be defeated. So what on earth is the point of Davis’s action? He has actually taken an argument which – whatever one’s views about 42 days – will be conducted at a high level of seriousness in the Lords on the issues of principle involved and reduced it to a stunt.

It is likely that we will find the real reason for his action lies in a row within Tory high command over whether to repeal 42 days if the Tories return to power. For now, Labour’s course of action is obvious. It should refuse to put up a candidate in this by-election on the grounds that it is a stunt that should not be wasting voters’ time in this way. With the LibDems already saying they won’t fight it, Davis can then win against himself – and defeat himself. Victory would thus be meaningless and he would look ridiculous -- which would be a fitting outcome .