SENIOR Conservative David Davis claims he has widespread public support for his campaign against the erosion of British civil liberties.
He said his decision to quit as an MP to force a by-election – in protest at the increase in pre-charge detention to 42 days – had captured the public's attention.
"I can't walk through a train station now for people coming up to me and shaki
ng my hand," he said.
Mr Davis denied his shock resignation had harmed the Conservatives, pointing to two opinion polls yesterday that showed increasing support for his party.
A YouGov poll put the Tories on 47 per cent, up two points on last month, while a ComRes poll put the party on 44 per cent, up one per cent.
It came as a beauty queen became the latest candidate to stand in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in Yorkshire, which is likely to be held next month.
Labour still looks unlikely to field a candidate, while there were also unconfirmed reports that baggage-handler John Smeaton, who became a hero after tackling the Glasgow airport bombers, was set to enter the race.
Miss Great Britain Gemma Garrett, who has vowed to make "politics sexy not sleazy", said yesterday: "I just want to get more glamorous women into politics."
Mr Davis yesterday accused Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, of "gutlessness" in failing to put up a Labour candidate.
The full article contains 243 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
