David Davis - Principles or political planning?

I for one am struggling to see the point of David Davis recent resignation and re-election circus. Surely there are other ways to take a stand? But lets have a look at the facts first, and maybe we can then see what is going on in his head! (see here for more details)

Davis resigned last month after Government proposals for detaining terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge were approved by the Commons, and announced he would seek re-election on the issue of civil liberties. On the evening of the 10th July, the former Shadow Home Secretary was returned to Parliament as MP for Haltemprice and Howden with a majority of 15,355. Davis says that expanding the DNA database will be his next battle.

Turnout in the by election was down to just over 34 per cent in yesterday's poll, compared to 70.2 per cent in the 2005 general election, allowing some of Mr Davis's opponents to claim that his resignation and re-election was farsical. Neither Labour nor the Liberal Democrats stood in the by election.

According to one estimate, the by-election process has cost taxpayers more than £200,000. Davis has dismissed criticism over the cost of this forced by-election, saying that he has taken a stand on principle. Davis himself admits his decision to resign has very likely cost his place in cabinet and any place in future cabinet as a result, but still considers the move worthwhile.

So what is the actual reason behind all this? To my mind there are two possibilities. Either it is really a matter of principle, and he views potential political suicide as a reasonable price to pay to bring the matter to the public’s attention. Or it may all be a very sly political move, staking his claim for future political changes. Only time will tell.