These People Are In Your Government

How can you tell if David Davis is right? Easy! As Mr Eugenides says, just look at these reactions::

JACQUI SMITH, HOME SECRETARY

Faced with a crucial decision on the safety and protection of the British public, the Conservatives have collapsed into total disarray on what is their first big policy test since they have come under greater scrutiny. David Cameron must come clean on what has really happened and why David Davis has really resigned.

DAVID BLUNKETT, FORMER HOME SECRETARY

David Davis's behaviour is a pure piece of political theatre, even more bizarre than John Major resigning as leader of the Tory Party in order to stand again against his own colleagues. This is childish and immature and it is not worthy of a major political party to engage in such theatre.

HAZEL BLEARS, COMMUNITIES SECRETARY

The Tories are plainly in disarray and confusion over the serious issue of national security. Behind Cameron's facade are the same old Tories fighting like ferrets in a sack. This forced by-election is a farce - and an insult to the voters in Haltemprice and Howden.

CAROLINE FLINT, HOUSING MINISTER

It clearly shows a dispute at the top of the Tory Party as to their approach to dealing with issues around countering terrorism. I think there'll be a lot of questions being asked at the Tory high command today and over the weekend about just what is going on... I think this is a waste of public money, David Davis taking this action, but that's his call and he'll have to answer for that.

DENIS MACSHANE, LABOUR MP

It's like something out of Italian comic opera. We all get issues where we get angry, but we don't resign over them. I hope the other parties don't dignify what is clearly a one-man stunt... I think David will be re-elected and people will see straight through this.

I'd call that a recruiting poster for David Davis, wouldn't you? And this "soft on terrorism" line seems highly improbable to me. After all, Basher Davis, what with his SAS background and all, is perhaps the Tory least vulnerable to this sort of attack. And, in any case, is this really such a sensible approach for Labour to take? After all, their apparent preference for something approaching a police state (I exaggerate, but only a little) is exactly what Davis is running against. They are close to making his case for him.