Emma Sword and Dave Higgens

David Davis's constituents reacted with shock yesterday to the news of his resignation and the impending by-election.

Shoppers in the East Yorkshire market town of Howden confirmed the area is solid Tory territory but many seemed puzzled by their MP's dramatic move.

Some said they supported him personally but disagreed with his views on the detention of terror suspects.

Local butcher Philip Parkin, 39, said: "He's a good figurehead for the area. It's a big Conservative area."

But Mr Parkin indicated many locals may not support Mr Davis's key by-election message.

"Forty-two days is not long enough if you ask me," he said.

Another shopkeeper, who did not want to be named, said: "I agree with him. I feel it is too long, 42 days.

"I used to live in the same village yards away from him. I've voted for him before and would do again."

Pensioner Brian Blackburn, 83, has lived in Howden for 25 years.

He said: "We all love him. The whole village loves him.

"But I don't agree with party policy - I'm Liberal after what happened with the Iraq war.

"If he stood as Independent I might vote for him but not as a Conservative."

Mr Blackburn added: "I think 42 days is an extreme measure which destroys democracy."

One shopper, who would only say she was called Sheila, said she was shocked but she did not vote for him in 2005 and will not this time.

The 68-year-old said: "What's the point? How much is this going to cost?"

Asked about the 42 days issue, she said: "It is a long time but if they have done anything ... well, it's better to be safe than sorry."

Her friend Joy, 69, said: "Forty-odd days is far too long but I'd vote for him again."

Another woman said: "He must feel very strongly about it.

"I'm disappointed - what if this backfires? I think he did a lot for the area."

The town of Howden is in the rural west of the large constituency which stretches from Hull almost to Goole.

The bulk of the electorate live in the largely affluent western suburbs of Hull, including leafy Cottingham and Kirk Ella.

Mr Davis's constituency base is in the Hull suburb of Willerby.

Much of the rest of the constituency is rural, with the biggest industrial centre being the BAE Systems factory at Brough.