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Davis cruises to by-election win Davis cruises to by-election win
(20 minutes later)
Former shadow home secretary David Davis has eased to victory in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election with a 15,355 majority and 72% of the vote.Former shadow home secretary David Davis has eased to victory in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election with a 15,355 majority and 72% of the vote.
He quit his as an MP in June, after a terror detention vote, to fight for his seat on a civil liberties platform. He quit as an MP in June over the government's plans to detain terror suspects for up to 42 days.
The Tory MP said voters had delivered a "stunning message to the government".The Tory MP said voters had delivered a "stunning message to the government".
The turnout was 34%, with the Green Party coming second on 1,758 votes and the English Democrats third on 1,714. The Lib Dems and Labour did not stand.The turnout was 34%, with the Green Party coming second on 1,758 votes and the English Democrats third on 1,714. The Lib Dems and Labour did not stand.
Out of a record 26 candidates, 23 lost their deposits after failing to attract 5% of the vote.Out of a record 26 candidates, 23 lost their deposits after failing to attract 5% of the vote.
'Tooth and nail''Tooth and nail'
At the last general election Mr Davis won the seat with a 5,116 majority.At the last general election Mr Davis won the seat with a 5,116 majority.
However, the 17,113 votes he polled were fewer than the 22,792 he achieved at the 2005 election, and turnout was also down from 70.2%.However, the 17,113 votes he polled were fewer than the 22,792 he achieved at the 2005 election, and turnout was also down from 70.2%.
The Lib Dems - who came second in 2005 - chose not to run because they also opposed the government's plans to extend the time limit on holding terrorism suspects, before they have to be charged, from 28 to 42 days. The Lib Dems - who came second in 2005 - chose not to run because they also opposed the government's plans to extend the time limit on holding terrorism suspects.
We have fired a shot across the bows of Gordon Brown's arrogant, arbitrary and authoritarian government David Davis MP By-election: Full resultsWe have fired a shot across the bows of Gordon Brown's arrogant, arbitrary and authoritarian government David Davis MP By-election: Full results
Labour refused to stand, describing the by-election as a farce and a waste of more than £80,000 of public money.Labour refused to stand, describing the by-election as a farce and a waste of more than £80,000 of public money.
After the result was declared, Mr Davis said that before he resigned his seat, polls showed 69% of people supported the government on 42 days.After the result was declared, Mr Davis said that before he resigned his seat, polls showed 69% of people supported the government on 42 days.
That figure now stood at 39%, he added.That figure now stood at 39%, he added.
He said: "We have fired a shot across the bows of Gordon Brown's arrogant, arbitrary and authoritarian government."He said: "We have fired a shot across the bows of Gordon Brown's arrogant, arbitrary and authoritarian government."
He said he would return to Westminster on Monday with a mandate "to fight Gordon Brown's vision of Big Brother Britain tooth and nail, to stop 42 days in its tracks, to prevent the disaster of ID cards before it happens, to protect our personal privacy from being ransacked by the ever-intrusive state".He said he would return to Westminster on Monday with a mandate "to fight Gordon Brown's vision of Big Brother Britain tooth and nail, to stop 42 days in its tracks, to prevent the disaster of ID cards before it happens, to protect our personal privacy from being ransacked by the ever-intrusive state".
However, he admitted it was unlikely that Tory leader David Cameron would invite him back onto the party's front bench. Mr Davis admitted it was unlikely that Tory leader David Cameron would invite him back onto the party's front bench.
"I took on board that I would lose my shadow cabinet post and probably my shadow cabinet future," he said. 'Matter of principle'
"I accept that." "I took on board that I would lose my shadow cabinet post and probably my shadow cabinet future," he said. "I accept that."
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Davis accused the government of "spectacular cowardice" for not fielding a candidate. Mr Davis denied that he would become a "single-issue campaigner", but promised to "put a lot of effort" into opposing 42 days' detention.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The trouble with this is, from the beginning, the Westminster village hasn't really understood that someone wants to take a stand on a matter of principle that may have some effect on themselves."
Mr Davis also accused the government of "spectacular cowardice" for not fielding a candidate.
Among those who backed his campaign and attended debates in the constituency were Bob Geldof, Iraq war veteran Col Tim Collins and Labour MP Bob Marshall Andrews.Among those who backed his campaign and attended debates in the constituency were Bob Geldof, Iraq war veteran Col Tim Collins and Labour MP Bob Marshall Andrews.
But Home Office minister Tony McNulty said the by-election had been "a vain stunt that became and remains a farce".But Home Office minister Tony McNulty said the by-election had been "a vain stunt that became and remains a farce".
He added: "Labour never believed a parliamentary by-election should be held at taxpayers' expense to resolve tensions at the top of the Conservative Party."He added: "Labour never believed a parliamentary by-election should be held at taxpayers' expense to resolve tensions at the top of the Conservative Party."
The Green Party questioned Mr Davis's stance on some civil liberties issues - including his support for the 28-day limit on holding terror suspects without charge, increased from 14 days in 2005, and his views on capital punishment and gay rights.The Green Party questioned Mr Davis's stance on some civil liberties issues - including his support for the 28-day limit on holding terror suspects without charge, increased from 14 days in 2005, and his views on capital punishment and gay rights.
Rape law campaigner Jill Saward, who stood as an independent, criticised his opposition to extending the DNA database and CCTV - which she sees as "the very tools the police need to keep us safe".Rape law campaigner Jill Saward, who stood as an independent, criticised his opposition to extending the DNA database and CCTV - which she sees as "the very tools the police need to keep us safe".
Other parties who contested the election included the English Democrats and Christian Party.Other parties who contested the election included the English Democrats and Christian Party.