David Davis, the shadow Home Secretary has resigned as an MP.

He now forces a by-election in Haltemprice and Howden and will stand again on the principle of fighting the 42 day detention law.

Cameron did not sanction

His leader, David Cameron, called it a 'personal decision' that was not sanctioned by the party hierarchy but was 'courageous'. The high profile MPs resignation came as a complete surprise barely a day after he failed to thwart the government’s controversial terror plans.

He told reporters:

"I will argue in this by-election against the slow strangulation of fundamental British freedoms by this government."

The move was almost without precedent in British politics, Northern Irish MPs, instrumental in yesterday’s government victory, have previously resigned to run.

A political move?

Speculation is rife within the Conservative party that this may be a purely political move. Mr. Davis was defeated by Cameron in the leadership elections two years ago.

With the Tories riding high on the polls and Gordon Brown on the ropes, confidence of a blue government is high; jockeying for position may have already begun.

The Liberal Democrats, who supported Davis in the vote, will not field a candidate, nor will UKIP and the Greens - Labour is considering following suit.

A gamble

If Labour does refuse to field a candidate, Davis' efforts may become something of a damp squid. Party members see this as a 'reminder' to Cameron that Davis is still a force in the group. Though it may equally backfire: 'revealed to be overstating his importance and overplaying his hand.' is how some may read it.

Other opponents of the 42 day rule may feel he is taking advantage of the situation for political capital, a day after Brown was accused for sneaking the law through by backroom deals and promising the moon on a stick.