The political world is in mourning following the death of Sir David Davies, the fiercely independent and outspoken Conservative MP for Monmouth, who has died at the age of 84 after a short illness.
A true stalwart of the backbenches, Sir David was a fixture in the House of Commons for an impressive 33 years. He was renowned not for seeking ministerial glory, but for being a tenacious guardian of parliamentary scrutiny and a thorn in the side of governments of all stripes.
The Unwavering Brexit Crusader
In his later years, Sir David became a defining figure in the Brexit movement. His deep-seated Euroscepticism, rooted in a belief in national sovereignty, made him a natural and formidable campaigner for leaving the EU. Following the 2016 referendum, he was a constant and vocal critic of any implementation deal he perceived as a betrayal of the Leave vote, often clashing with his own party’s leadership.
A Champion of Justice and Principle
Beyond Europe, Sir David’s career was marked by a powerful sense of justice. He was a leading voice in the campaign to overturn the wrongful convictions of the Post Office Horizon scandal victims, dedicating years to fighting for the truth. His advocacy extended to supporting British soldiers and veterans facing investigation, seeing himself as a defender of those he felt were abandoned by the establishment.
Colleagues remembered him as a man of immense integrity and stubborn principle. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described him as "a true parliamentarian and a great freedom fighter," while political opponents acknowledged his unwavering dedication to his beliefs.
A Life of Service Beyond Politics
Before his political career, Sir David served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force. He is survived by his wife, Diana, and their two children. Tributes have flowed from across the political spectrum, cementing his legacy as one of the most distinctive and principled MPs of his generation—a true individual who remained, above all, his own man.
