David Davis

Conservative MP Haltemprice and Howden

Date of birth

23 December 1948

Political profile

David Davis hugely increased his public profile in 2001 when he stood as a "dark horse" candidate for the Tory leadership, offering a clear break from the past and a firmly right-wing agenda.

His offer was rejected, and he initially tied for last place with Michael Ancram, withdrawing after the re-run first ballot.

He was appointed Party Chairman by Iain Duncan Smith in 2001.

But his career hit a bump in 2002 when he was moved from that job to become frontbench spokesman shadowing Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Upon the deposing of Duncan Smith, he announced that he did not intend to stand as Leader despite his claim that he had received enough support to win the contest. When Howard appointed him Shadow Home Secretary, David had made his mark within days by announcing that he advocated the death penalty.

He is a Eurosceptic right-winger with a high level business background, having worked for the multinational Tate and Lyle prior to his election in 1987.

He is a supporter of the greater incorporation of private sector custom and practice into the public sector.

A deliberately provocative choice as Whip on the Maastricht bill, he was rewarded by John Major with the position of Minister for Europe.

His intransigence abroad earned him the continental nickname 'Monsieur Non'.

A broken-nosed extreme sports fan, he is a self confessed Parliamentary "hard man".

Contact

020 7219 5873