Tories will hold free vote on hunting ban
THE Tories have reaffirmed a promise to overturn the hunting ban that has "divided the countryside".
Shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert has moved to kill off speculation that it was "watering down" its commitment to repeal the Hunting Act by spelling out his party's intentions should it win the General Election.
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Mr Herbert said the abolition of hunting was "the most symbolic act of Labour's arrogant disregard for rural communities" and has decided to bring forward government legislation to reverse it.
His article in a national newspaper was tacit acknowledgment that a backbench Bill – which would have less chance of becoming law due to a lack of parliamentary time – had been ruled out.
It followed senior Conservatives suggesting they were considering a series of options for repealing the ban, leading countryside campaigners to fear that party leader David Cameron was moving to distance himself from the controversial issue.
In the Westcountry, the Labour Party plans to use Tory support for a repeal of the ban on hunting in the run-up to next year's election, claiming the sport is deeply unpopular, even in rural areas.
But Mr Herbert stated emphatically there is to be "no watering down or retreat" from the pledge to give MPs "the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a government bill in government time".
He said that the legislation, one of a series of "bad Labour laws", was an "ass" that had "not saved the life of a single fox".
Mr Herbert said: "Some argue that the Hunting Act is so ineffective that it might as well be left on the Statute Book. But this is bad law, and bad laws should be repealed.
"While prosecutions have so far mainly failed, it is the professional hunt staff, whose livelihoods depend on their employment, who have found themselves in the dock and who still fear arrest, with all the worry and opprobrium that very public and drawn-out prosecutions entail.
"Above all, the Act sits with ID cards, the attempt to introduce 42-day detention and the removal of trial by jury for fraud cases, as an affront to civil liberties. It is but one of Labour's laws that have overridden individual rights and asserted the power of the State.
"For all these reasons, there is a compelling case to sweep this law off the Statute Books. That is why David Cameron has said that, if we are elected, we will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a government bill in government time.
"There will be no watering down or retreat from this pledge, which will be repeated in our election manifesto."
Mr Herbert said Labour's 2004 ban on hunting was "an act of spite". "It attempted to create two nations, dividing town and country. It treated the rural minority with contempt, bordering on hatred."
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by Albert, Truro
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 9:37PM
“"Hunting thugs"? Bit strong that, mhayworth
The answer's simple. If you don't like hunting, don't participate. But who do Labour and the anti-hunt fraternity think they are, telling others how to live? What is wrong with allowing people to act according to their own consciences?
Oh - and FWIW, I don't hunt, never have even though I do ride. But I do NOT presume to proscribe others' activities.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 3:09PM
“:D :D :D :D Oh stop it please! . . It's starting to hurt again!!
Now you all know what a panicking Socialist activist in full flight sounds like! :D :D :D :D”
by mhayworth, UK
Tuesday, October 20 2009, 10:39PM
“Clearly the Countryside Alliance had David Cameron convinced that all Tories and rural people were pro-hunt, just as they've tried to convince us that the ban was brought about because of politics, class war, envy, or some fictitious conflict between city and country people.
Nothing could be further from the truth and nothing is hurting suppport for the Tories more at this moment. People who support the ban are from all political parties and all areas of the U.K. Most of us think political correctness has gone completely mad and the nanny state needs to go. We also believe in pest control providing it is humane. We simply don't believe in extreme cruelty, gang behaviour, or killing for fun - whether on city streets or in the name of 'sport'. We believe that the way to deal with legislation that doesn't work is to strengthen it by closing the loopholes - not by repealing it because your associates refuse to obey it.
For those who think this issue is not important in light of the economic crisis - think again. Anti-social behaviour is a major problem in Britain and one that impacts our economy significantly. Politicians who relish in the return of bloodsports are clearly not the role models capable of turning this around.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, October 19 2009, 5:51PM
“:) There's far too much free thinking going on here Editor. . I think I'll stay in.”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Monday, October 19 2009, 5:29PM
“I REALLY wish that could happen Freethinker, over the water. You can add Charles as well to that bunch of rogues. Charles Henry would fit in well.”
by Theo H, Lifton
Monday, October 19 2009, 4:47PM
“I am rural.
I have land and I let the local stag hounds ride through it.
But there is no way the Countryside Alliance, nor the Conservatives, represent the countryside I wish to live in.
And a hunt ban being an "affront to human rights"?”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, October 19 2009, 4:17PM
“:) Your thoughts are always 'FREE' Justin because no one in their right mind would even give you a 'PENNY' for them. . . Best Charles”
by freethinker, over the water
Monday, October 19 2009, 2:52PM
“I agree with Paul of West Devon but if hunting with horses must come back let replace the poor old fox . Instead let them hunt down greedy politicians and bankers ... Now they are
really nasty creatures that need to be eradicated for the good of the whole nation”
by mhayworth, UK
Monday, October 19 2009, 1:28PM
“The statement from Nick Herbert is hitting the news everywhere today because these hunting thugs were threatening the Tories with a 'firestorm' last week when they thought Cameron was retreating on this issue. No one is safe from these people - not even those who seek to legitimise them.
The Countryside Alliance and Vote OK are now viewed merely as the militant wing of the Tory party. Just look at the violence erupting around the Lush campaign to support the Hunt Saboteurs (sadly the only people brave enough to police these hunting gangs). Cameron has opened the door to every thug in this country by supporting a repeal of an act that deals with the most abhorrent form of cruelty known to any decent human being.”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, October 19 2009, 10:43AM
“:| It is amazing that the Party that repeatedly brings this country to it's knees, has any supporters left at all. . But as many of them don't have any understanding of the meaning of the word 'FREE' unless it is associated with 'FREE-EXPRESSION', unruly children and bad behaviour, is it really any wonder?”