David Davis (British politician)

David Davis (born 23 December 1948) is a British Conservative Party politician who has served in various roles within the UK government. He is primarily known for his Eurosceptic views and his extensive experience as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Haltemprice and Howden, a seat he held from 1987 to 2024, with a brief resignation and re-election in 2008 related to civil liberties.

Davis held several ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Europe in the late 1990s. He unsuccessfully challenged David Cameron for the leadership of the Conservative Party in 2005.

A prominent figure in the Brexit campaign, Davis was appointed Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union by Prime Minister Theresa May in July 2016. He resigned from this position in July 2018, citing disagreements with the government's approach to Brexit negotiations, particularly regarding the proposed customs arrangements. He felt the approach did not align with the promises made during the referendum campaign.

Throughout his political career, Davis has been known for his advocacy for civil liberties and his questioning of government surveillance powers. He has also been a vocal commentator on economic policy and the role of the state. His political positions are generally considered to be on the right wing of the Conservative Party.