David Davis 2008 by-election campaign

The David Davis by-election campaign of 2008 was a political campaign against the erosion of civil liberties in the United Kingdom, led by the former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), David Davis, labelled by Davis as the David Davis For Freedom campaign.

The campaign was initiated in June 2008, following Davis's surprise resignation as an MP and from his position as the Shadow Home Secretary, and was the platform he used in standing for re-election to his seat in the subsequent Haltemprice and Howden by-election. Davis subsequently won his seat back with 72% of the vote. No established candidates stood against Davis, and no candidate opposing Davis polled more than 8% of the turnout. After winning the by-election, Davis returned to Parliament as a backbencher, vowing to continue the campaign.

Davis's resignation followed a parliamentary vote on the Counter-Terrorism Bill, which would extend the maximum detention of terror suspects without charge from 28 to 42 days. Announcing his resignation, he stated his intention to spark a wider public debate on the erosion of civil liberties by the incumbent Labour government, and specifically the policies of the prime-minister Gordon Brown.

Davis's motives have produced both praise and criticism, and split public opinion. The campaign was also questioned because Davis's opinions prior to his resignation were in line with those of his party, where, as Shadow Home Secretary, he was in a good position to effect change should the Conservatives win the next general election, predicted for 2010. Criticism was also levelled at the use of, while not un-precedented, the triggering of a by-election to stand on a single issue of principle. Criticism also cited the perceived waste of public money in holding a by-election, estimated to cost £80,000.