Tory members say David Davis was wrong to resign (but David Cameron should have him back)

David Cameron is campaigning for David Davis this afternoon; George Osborne visits next week; Iain Duncan Smith, Jeremy Hunt and Chris Grayling were in Haltemprice and Howden yesterday.  Every Tory MP has been instructed to visit at least once.

The overwhelming view of Tory MPs who ConservativeHome have spoken to, however, is that David Davis was wrong to resign his seat and should have fought for his views within the shadow cabinet.  Tory members agree with that view although in almost identical numbers they want Mr Davis brought back into the shadow cabinet - an unlikely outcome, at least in the short-term.  By two-to-one Tory members also believe that David Davis' campaign will highlight  "the ways in which our civil liberties are in danger".

Last week Mr Davis launched his campaign with Ten Promises to Protect British Freedoms.

Related link: On the afternoon of David Davis' resignation we found 66% of Tory members "inspired" by his resignation.

Comments

[Westminster Wolf]

It seems that grassroots opinion has matured.
The initial excitement at Davis's move is giving way to awareness that what he did was a stunt.
Dramatic, yes.
Inspiring, kind of.
But still a stunt and not very grown up.
Cameron won't have him back and shouldn't.
Cameron needs Cabinet ministers not student protestor types.

[London Tory]

I would point all Conservative members who support David Davis to two books. Firstly, the Alan Clark diaries. Secondly, Breaking the Code by ex whip Gyles Brandreth.

Both books catalogue that Davis has plenty of history with this type of behaviour, going right back to 1987. He should have argued his case from within the Shadow Cabinet.

[Mark Hudson]

I voted for him in 2005 and left when he did not get the top job. Ironically on this issue, I disagree with him (especially on 42 days), but the response above does seem like a calculated dig at Cameron. Sadly, really not sure what he is trying to accomplish and I fear he will set back the cause of those of us who want the Party to become Conservative again and thus return.

[Councillor]

"He should have argued his case from within the Shadow Cabinet."
He did.

[grumpy old man]

Westminster wolf, your interpretation of the figures is such an outrageous piece of spin that it could have originated in the Cabinet Office (if that august institution wasn't riven by internecine warfare) My interpretation of the figures:
6 out of 10 grass roots Tories are dismayed that DD is out of the Shadow Cabinet.
6 out of 10 grass roots Tories would prefer DD in the Shadow Cabinet.
6 out of 10 grass roots Tories believe that DD is right about civil liberties.
If you are in fact a Tory spinmeister, you are doing MY Party a disservice by not being dispassionate in your analysis and further proving that the Westminster Village, and, by implication, the PCP is remote from the concerns of the electorate.

[Robert McIlveen]

When I first heard about DD's resignation I thought it had something of the Heseltine about it - and was amused when Heseltine criticised it. While I'm planning to go and deliver some leaflets next week, I think the comparison isn't entirely unjustified.

[David Belchamber]

What has happened has happened. Politics is very much about making the best out of events and therefore we should take DD at face value i.e. that it was not a stunt, but a dramatic way of concentrating on an issue that has not really been settled.
Yes, Brown won the vote but is such a way that he lost the argument.
There is a lot at stake and we should support DD in airing the issues. I find it encouraging that he has stirred up such cross party support.

[Patsy Sergeant]

I agree with David Belchamber @ 10.59!

[Mark Fulford]

I’m surprised but pleased that our majority would forgive David Davis the mistake of quitting the shadow cabinet and give him his old job back. My concern is that the less this campaign costs David Davis, the more it appears a stunt.

[Richard Weatherill]

Oddly enough, I'm in the minority on both counts. I think Davis passionately believes in what he says about the curtailment of our liberties and was therefore right to do what he did. On the other hand, I don't think DC should be under any obligation to reinstate him, if and when he returns to Parliament.

[Chuckle Brother]

I think it was all a rather clever ploy to return to the back benches, whilst establishing himself as a man of principle, and to distance himself from the Cameroon project without having to resign from the Shadow Cabinet.

DD remains the undisputed champion of real Conservatism! He'll have more freedom to speak on the back benches!

[Mark Williams]

The reaction of MP's is not surprising and probably resonate with most party activists (as opposed to supporters). Loyalty and solidarity are key to winning, and although DD's fight is with Brown and not Cameron, to break ranks with the rest of the parliamentary party is not helpful and carries certain risks.

[gingeral]

Of course he should come back, have a look over conservativehome's past monthly ratings of the shadow cabinet and see who came top most of the time. David Davis (Hague was the only one who got near him). He's a tough, talented, principled man who shouldn't be wasted on the back benches. But then again I'd also get Rifkind and IDS back, thought the latter gave a good question at PMQs today.

[Miranda]

I entirely agree with grumpy old man 10.27am.

David Davis resigns over our freedoms, whilst Keith Vaz appears to have 'sold them' for the price of a peerage - who do you think the public will have most respect for? Stunt or not, its is a PR gift, for heavens sake use it.

Ask the same questions of the public rather than 'Tory members', and I think you would get a different view, especially of the fist question. It's time the Westminster Village and the Tory 'wet' members, took more stock of public opinion - there is a lot of seething anger out here.

[Rod Sellers]

Total vindication of DD with the revalation regarding Kieth Vaz.

[London Tory]

Lets have some decorum on this site, please.

Its "Sir" Keith Vaz.

[Richard Weatherill]

Yes, please show a bit of deferens to Vaz.

[Graeme Archer]

Richard Weatherill, that is the quote of the year!

[Richard Weatherill]

Thank you, Graeme. I tried it out first on Guido (under my usual nom de plume on his blog) but it seemed to pass them all by. London Tory's 13:51 post provided the perfect excuse to wheel it out again before a more appreciative and educated audience (well, you at least).

[Paul Oakley]

Was it a willy joke then Richard?

[Sam Robinson]

Well, David Davis did have to fight for his views in Shadow Cabinet, if the truth be known. And, adding to that the bribary trail laid by Broon, for a man of David Davis' courage and principle, the path he chose was the only honourable one.
Of course, it is easy to understand the attitude of those MPs with less backbone -"The overwhelming view of Tory MPs...is that David Davis was wrong to resign his seat...".
There are also those in the Shadow Cabinet who are privately hoping that, on his victory in H&H, David Davis will not be let back to the top table let alone into the inner circle get-togethers.
Nevertheless it is clear from the ratings of many of our Shadow Cabinet, even in these days of the party's riding high in the polls, that we are not so awash with people of talent and principle as to easily dispense with David Davis' drive and commitment both in opposition and in the next government.