Davis D-Day as voters go to polls

by Dave Keating | July 9, 2008 at 11:19 pm

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The election in Haltemprice and Howden is taing place today after Tory MP resigned his seat there over the 42-day detention policy. Davis resigned in order to run again, staking his reelection on the 42-day detention issue, and running effectively unopposed. He's told teh public to vote for him if they also oppose the new policy, or vote for an opponant if they support it.

Voting is under way in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election as constituents begin to give their verdict on David Davis' gamble to resign as an MP and fight a by-election on the issue of civil liberties.

And all eyes are on how many of the 70,100 electors will turn out to vote as neither the Lib Dems nor the Labour Party are fielding a candidate.

In the centre of the East Yorkshire market town of Howden some voters were even queuing in the morning sunshine when the polling station opened at 7am in the Shire Hall opposite the town's imposing Minster. By 7.30am more than 20 people had cast their votes. Most were voting before heading to work.

With only the Tories out of the three main political parties standing, attention will also focus on how many of the colourful selection of 25 other hopefuls on the ballot papers will secure more than a handful of supporters.