David downsizes
He has only just arrived back but David Davis is already finding life in Westminster a little different.
In one of the subtle ways they use to discipline their MPs, the Tory whips are signalling their displeasure: by giving him a much smaller office. He did have a grand office near the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons, now he has been moved to one of the smaller rooms in Portcullis House over the road, decidedly a bit of a snub.
As a former whip, with a fearsome reputation, David Davis understands the message they are sending. But they should be careful who they antagonise. As one close friend commented: "no-one knows how to run a guerrilla war in the Commons better than David".
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 14th Jul 2008, lordBeddGelert wrote:Yes, there is always a danger of having someone 'outside the tent'...
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Comment number 2.
At 14th Jul 2008, patskis wrote:Your entry has a huge omission. What happened to his former office. I presume it has been given to Grieve QC.
So in essence your entry is an explanation that the more important your role within the party the larger the office you are assigned by the party whips.
As a backbencher Davis is now a minor player with a smaller office.
Oh, how insightful. Are you being paid for this?
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Comment number 3.
At 14th Jul 2008, GlobalTemplar wrote:Davis will be back, he increased his share of the vote so the Lib Dems are finished for now in his back yard and Labour are nothing to worry about there.
Cameron can signal what he likes but one of the most effective members of the shadow team was DD, Ms Smith must be breathing a sigh of relief with him off her back for now, Cameron should place DD back at the heart of the home office and counter terror portfolio now, after all does 'call me DAVE' not realise the only reason we of the right tolerate him is because of DD being our standard bearer? It would be a shame if Dave lost the keys to number 10 a few months after getting elected PM because he ignored the right?
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