Cameron renews hunt ban pledge
DAVID Cameron has reaffirmed his support for a repeal of the hunting ban during a candid interview where he described himself as "a country boy".
The Conservative leader talked freely of his love of the countryside, disclosed that he went hunting as a boy and said he was taught to shoot rabbits by his father.
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David Cameron
Mr Cameron, who represents Witney, on the edge of the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire, said he would allow Tory MPs a free vote on decriminalising hunting with dogs if he were to become prime minister.
Mr Cameron said: "I always thought that the ban was a mistake because I think it is very difficult to enforce."
Speaking of the "pest control" case for repealing the ban, he said: "The point is that the fox population has to be controlled.
"Every farmer will tell you that and every farmer will also tell you that the methods now being used – in more cases gassing and shooting and trapping and snaring – are, as the Burns inquiry itself found, very, very cruel."
He told Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5: "The case on animal welfare grounds for the hunting ban, I've always thought was very, very weak."
Hunting with dogs has been illegal since February 2005, but the ban has only led to a handful of successful prosecutions.
Asked to explain what Mr Campbell called "the joys of hunting", Mr Cameron responded: "I'm a country boy, I was brought up in the countryside and I love walking in the countryside and riding in the countryside and every aspect of growing up in the countryside.
"I was taught to fish by a wonderful grandfather. I was taught to shoot rabbits by my dad. I've always been a country boy and I went hunting as well."
But conscious that images of him atop a horse dressed in full hunting costume would not go down well among most urban voters, Mr Cameron sidestepped a question about whether he would himself go hunting if the ban was repealed.
"I personally have got other things I'm hoping to do," he said.
But in March 2002, Mr Cameron voted against banning the hunting of wild mammals with dogs.
However, he promised a free vote on the issue, saying: "MPs take different views, there are Conservatives in my party who support the hunting ban.
"It will be a free vote in the House of Commons and if the ban if kept it's kept and if it's repealed it's repealed."
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by Roma, Cornish from Cornwall
Tuesday, April 06 2010, 9:30AM
“If my dear Mum had worn a bushy tail she may not have died from dehydration in hospital whilst nurses sat and had their chats. This is Labour's Britain. Dogs and foxes leave this world with more dignity but less if left to lingering with a bullet hole in their bodies. Some little kiddies die at the hands of neglect. Does anyone really care? No, but they'd be hopping if if happened to a cat or fox. Hypocritical lefties.
SJM - perhaps you need to be reminded of Gordon Brown's legacy to Britain. He threw away half a century's worth of the country's inheritance at the very bottom end of the market.
He was warned but in his arrogance still sold our GOLD and lost Britain £6.6 billion and now has to borrow £3.3 billion every week to cover Britain's debts.
Give me David Cameron and the Eton boys as Labour's cronies seem to want to destroy our country in many more ways than one.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, April 05 2010, 6:17PM
“:| Myopic Neil? . Well you clearly are. . Have you ever thought of having laser surgery for it?
http://www.charleshenry.co.uk/thoughts/index.php?p=960”
by Nell Roach, Tiverton
Monday, April 05 2010, 3:27PM
“I just wonder where Cameron gets his information from or is he like many pro-hunters that are narrow-minded, myopic and biased. He clearly has not read the Burns Report with any understanding, if at all, nor has he read IFAW's 2008 review of the Hunting Act.
Furthermore, if he seriously believes that foxes need controlling why on earth doesn't he tell his fellow hunters to stop building artificial earths to encourage vixens into the area to breed? The man is a fool and a hypocrite. He should be strengthening the ban and closing all the loopholes in the Act not repealing it. He is not worthy to take the position of running this country. He is irresponsible and un democratic. He is totally aware that three quarters of the electorate want the ban to stay and he is ignoring the will of the people. He should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.”
by steve lynham, penzance
Sunday, April 04 2010, 9:55PM
“Malcolm of Hayle envisages an apocalyptic scenario if the Tories form the next government ... and nothing like what they promise us. But maybe he is correct .... people forget the past so easily, but I remember Black Wednesday when the Tories lost us 3.4 BILLION pounds and had to spend 27 BILLION pounds supporting our currency, with a shocking rise in interest rates over just a few hours.
Cameron doesn't like to mention this ... but perhaps they didn't teach him and his chums history at Eton.”
by Calmer Waters, The Celtic Nation And Duchy Of Cornwall
Sunday, April 04 2010, 7:16PM
“SJM wrote:
'Nothing against the Muslims but I am English and support the English way of life and do not agree with this endless running down of England by the Scots and immigrants.'
Sounds like you should consider going back to England, SJM, to help defend it against all those invaders, SJM.”
by Tina Willmott, Falmouth
Sunday, April 04 2010, 6:26PM
“SJM Padstow,what have your comments got to do with call me Dave's promise to repeal the ban of hunting with dogs,nothing,unless of course you mean that we will be free to hunt BNP member's with dogs, in which case bring it on.”
by Malcolm Stent Bradman, Hayle
Sunday, April 04 2010, 6:12PM
“SJM,as the Conservative are always accusing Labour of stealing their ideas,what makes you think they are any different than Labour,or do you want to see hunting with dogs brought back,together with 17% interest rates,thousands of homes being repossessed,four million unemployed,etc,etc, I don't agree with all that Labour have done,but prefer the Devil I know,to the one I don't,only two parties stand a chance of forming the next Government,a vote for the Lib/Dems is a vote for the Torys to be let in by the back door,so it will be Labour who get my vote.”
by SJM, Padstow
Sunday, April 04 2010, 5:51PM
“Its always been a two way race and labour have shown themselves to be liars thief¿s and low life¿s. The only honest political party are the BNP but I but can not vote for them as it is not an option, thus the only party to offer me anything are the Tories, labour would allow the Muslims to take over if it allowed them to win.
Nothing against the Muslims but I am English and support the English way of life and do not agree with this endless running down of England by the Scots and immigrants”
by Charles Horner, Penzance
Saturday, April 03 2010, 11:02PM
“Having read the comment left by the evil woman from St Just, I now know where I will NOT be placing my X in May.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Saturday, April 03 2010, 10:32PM
“:| Your time is over Theo. . Keep taking the tablets.”