The Rest Is Politics: Leading 89. David Davis: The danger of Farage and the battle for the soul of the Tory Party
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Aug 11, 2024 
David Davis, former Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, dives deep into the complexities of Brexit and its dire implications for the Tory Party's future. He reflects on his political journey, including his shifting views on controversial moral issues like gay marriage and the death penalty. Davis candidly discusses the internal divisions within the Conservative Party and the need for introspection and adaptation to remain relevant. He also touches on the personal impact of political decisions, emphasizing the importance of self-care amidst political chaos.
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Joining the Territorial SAS Before University
- Davis joined the Territorial SAS for a year to earn money and gain experience before university.
- He describes the role as mercenary at first, drawn by the parachute bounty and the physical challenge of selection.
Institutions Over State Explain National Success
- Davis explains his ideological shift from a Labour family to valuing individual freedom and institutions over state control.
- Influenced by reading on economic history, he concluded institutions drive national success, not collectivist systems.
Death Penalty Framed As Moral Risk Calculation
- On the death penalty Davis framed his argument as theoretical: the moral risk is wrongful execution given fallible judiciaries.
- He compared state drone killings' moral calculus to domestic capital punishment in debate.