2008 Haltemprice and Howden by-election would extend the legal detention of terror suspects without charge to a maximum of 42 days. Explaining his actions, Davis stated he intended to spark a wider public debate about the perceived erosion of civil liberties by the then Labour government, which in the following week was launched as the 'David Davis for Freedom campaign'. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham called on Davis to fund the cost of the by-election to the taxpayer, estimated at £80,000, from his own pocket. Davis had held the seat as a Conservative since its creation in 1997, having previously been MP since 1987 for the
Howdenshire (UK Parliament constituency) Howdenshire (UK Parliament constituency) Howdenshire was a county constituency in Yorkshire which returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system. It was created for the 1885 general election, and abolished for the 1950 general election. 1885-1918: The Sessional Divisions of Holme Beacon, Howdenshire, South Hunsley Beacon, Wilton Beacon, and Ouse and Derwent (except the part included in the extended Municipal Borough of York). 1918-1950: The Urban Districts of Hessle and Pocklington, the Rural Districts of Escrick, Howden, Pocklington, and Riccall, in