Background
Davey was born in Liskeard in south east Cornwall, England.
Davey was born in Liskeard in south east Cornwall, England.
He learned the trade of printing. They lived in Feilding (where he worked as a saw miller), Wellington (where he worked for the Government printer) and then Christchurch. He was a printer for the Lyttelton Times newspaper and became President of the Typographical Union and Vice-President of the Trades and Labour Council.
He had been presented with a petition to stand for parliament and came third out of nine contenders in this three-member electorate, behind Tommy Taylor and Harry Ell.
Davey held Christchurch East to 1914, when he retired. Like Harry Ell, Davey showed an independent attitude towards the Liberal Government.
He demanded an elective executive, and said that Premier Richard Seddon held too many portfolios. He also believed that the Cabinet should be reconstructed.
Davey was elected Mayor of Street Albans in 1897.
The Lyttelton Times parliamentary correspondent described Davey as: "tall, straight, solidly built – the best Mayor Saint Albans ever had". Davey died on 5 April 1934 and was buried at Linwood Cemetery.
He is regarded as a member of the Liberal Party, but was critical of aspects of the party and its leadership. From between the general elections of 1902 and 1905, Davey was one of the three members of marliament representing the multi-member City of Christchurch electorate. Nonetheless, Davey is listed as a member of the Liberal Party in Wilson"s New Zealand Parliamentary Record: 1840–1984.
He was a member of the Hospital Board and the Board of Canterbury College.