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
Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke (UK Parliament constituency) 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected; Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke (UK Parliament constituency) Stoke was a borough constituency in Stoke-on-Trent which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the UK Parliament, a new name and form of a seat which had existed from the Reform Act 1832. Elections were held using the first past the post voting system. The constituency was created for the 1918 general election, and abolished for the 1950 general election. General Election 1939/40: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940.