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‘We need a proper national debate on these important matters… If you were serious about debating these important issues, you should have put up a candidate or at the very least allowed your ministers to debate publicly with me,’ wrote David Davis when challenging the Prime Minister to front up on the matter of civil liberties.

So how’s the Davis debate going? Here’s Shan Oakes, the Green Party’s candidate for Haltemprice and Howden:

I had previously been emailed by the Youth Assembly organiser to ask if I would attend an Assembly meeting to discuss the issues with David Davis. I had replied saying I would be delighted. I have attended several Assembly meetings – which are usually held in Beverley where I live. I had also requested David Davis to include us in meetings to debate the issues to which he had agreed.

We turned up at the school and were kept out. First we were refused entrance to the site, then, after great debate with the Head, we were allowed into a side room with the promise that we could meet the young people after the Tory meeting. Chris Abbott, the head teacher, was very helpful, but had little control over arrangements for the ‘private hire’ of a room in the school premises. We were horrified at the high degree of police presence and the fact that our promised discussion with the young people had been hijacked and turned into a one party PR event for the Tories with no opportunity for legitimate debate.

I tried to tackle the Dave Duo on this when they came out of the building (a friendly journalist had lent me a mike), but they had clearly been made aware of my intention and dived into their car (whilst a policeman held me back) as if they were in some sort of danger. Obviously even they realise they have a lot to hide. So much for civil liberties!

‘If you were serious about debating these important issues… yada yada yada.’ Smile for the camera, David(s).

And to think Davis used to be in the SAS. I’m beginning to think he broke his nose slipping on the soap in the shower. Or falling while running towards a TV camera.

His nickname in the Service was apparently ‘Double Tap‘. Probably something to do with how he opens his Terry’s Chocolate Oranges rather than some balls-out execution technique.

(via Liberal Conspiracy)