Geldof backs David Davis's campaign
Sir Bob Geldof was today throwing his celebrity weight
behind former East Yorkshire MP David Davis's decision to
highlight the issue of civil liberties.
Sir Bob – a close ally of Prime Minister Gordon Brown on
tackling poverty and repression in Africa – was joining Mr
Davis on the campaign trail in the Haltemprice and Howden
by-election.
It is thought the pair will also speak at a rally at the
Guildhall in Hull at lunchtime.
Giving his backing to Mr Davis's campaign to halt plans to
detain terrorist suspects for 42 days, Sir Bob said: “What is
the point of Britain without its freedoms? What terrorises the
terrorists is our civilisation.
“I am delighted to support this campaign and I will be
speaking on it in Hull.”
The backing, from someone he so regularly shares a platform
with on the issue of development, could prove embarrassing for
the Prime Minister.
Mr Brown has been forced to deny again that he resorted to
“grubby deals” to squeeze the extension to pre-charge detention
through the Commons last month.
Mr Davis quit as MP for Haltemprice and Howden last month so
he could fight a by-election on the issue, accusing the
Government of “trampling” on essential freedoms.
However, Labour has refused to field a candidate and
ministers have been doing their best to ignore the contest,
which takes place on Thursday.
Mr Davis said he was “delighted” Sir Bob was supporting his
campaign.
Earlier this week, Conservative Party leader David Cameron
visited the constituency to give Mr Davis his endorsement.
In the days before the by-election, Mr Davis is expected to
be joined on the campaign trail by several members of the
shadow cabinet, including shadow Chancellor George Osborne.
He will also hold a further debate with former Labour MP
Tony Benn next week in London.
32 Comments
View all
by Maley, Hull
Saturday, July 05 2008, 7:20AM
“psychofatale, here are my answers to your questions :-)
how would you deal with the terrorist threat?
- Make sure we don't interfere with other countries business. Withdraw troops from Iraq immediately. Stop the media and politicians from overstating the 'terrorist threat'. Completely rethink and rework foreign policy.
How long do you think these 'suspects' should be detained for?
- The current detention (28 days) was already overly generous yet sufficient.
What do you think Geldof has to gain from 'poking his nose into Britains affairs'?
- Geldof is probably advancing issues that he has raised in his time working with amnesty International”
by Mark, Willerby
Friday, July 04 2008, 6:14PM
“I think Midge Ure was better in the whole Band Aid thing.”
by Seth, Nth Cave
Friday, July 04 2008, 5:46PM
“What a non-event (par for the course for Davis). The gruesome twosome spoke to 'selected guests'...these were schoolchildren for heavens sake!
Maybe they won them over, but they'll have to wait a few years before they can cast their votes. Or maybe Davis's next crusade will be to lower the voting age to twelve!”
by psychofatale, hessle
Friday, July 04 2008, 5:20PM
“Maley,
You never answered my questions and keep spouting the same old same old 'interfering brits'
I am beginning to suspect there is no real substance to your argument.”
by Mike, Beverley
Friday, July 04 2008, 5:20PM
“I am in total agreement with Maley and Steve on these issues. Re Maley's point about creating the economic circustances ot push the Irish out of their homeland, the same applies (in economic terms) to many third world countries. I'm a big believer in Dependency Theory. The rich depencd upon the poor to stay rich (in laymans terms) and the poor cannot escape their dependency on the rich due to the economic rules made by the rich. The 'free' market system is a typical example which benefits the Multi National Companies to the detriment of the producers. ps I have no problem with saying I am left wing. No problem at all.”
by Maley, Hull
Friday, July 04 2008, 3:36PM
“Frank, do you not know why there are so many Irish and descendants of Irish in this country?
Britain set the economic circumstances to starve the Irish. Those that didn't starve had to look for a new life elsewhere. The same can be said of other nationalities in the old British Empire to varying degrees.”
by Geoff, Wawne
Friday, July 04 2008, 3:35PM
“Steve you talk some c*ap!”
by Maley, Hull
Friday, July 04 2008, 3:35PM
“psychofatale, is the british intervention in Iraq not modern day supression and pillaging, mainly for control and supply of oil? Granted the British have leapt into bed with the US on this but they're still at the forefront. Iran next? Does that tell us more about why 42 days is being introduced?
Escalate the terrorist problem by invasion but have the legislation of 42 days in place to combat the subsequent and, in some cases, understandable backlash.
Like I say its cause and effect in my view.”
by Maley, Hull
Friday, July 04 2008, 3:34PM
“Dan, I would hardly call myself left wing. :-)
I just think it was unfair for folk to single out Geldof when there's much worse been done in the name of British foreign policy as opposed to Geldof foreign policy.”
by chris, hull
Friday, July 04 2008, 3:32PM
“Great comment Maley. Geldof a sideshow. Sideshow Bob then. That explains why this election is a bit like a comedy with lots of odd characters appearing. Bart for Westminster I say!”