Commenting on the launch of the Conservative Manifesto, Conservatives Against Fox Hunting- Blue Fox Co Founder Lorraine Platt said:
‘We are very disappointed but not surprised that the Conservative leadership has stated that a Conservative Government will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote with a government bill in government time in the 2015 manifesto.
The repeal issue is toxic, a vote loser and it will certainly alienate support for the Conservative Party. It is important that the Party leadership is aware that there is as much support in the countryside as there is in urban areas for the ban. For too long, the Party leadership has appeared to be swayed by the hunting lobby rather than representing the majority of the public’s support for the ban on hunting with dogs.
Calls for a relaxation or repeal of the hunting ban perpetuate a dated outmoded image. There was an excellent opportunity to dump the worn out hunting issue behind and promote a modern manifesto with an invigorated commitment to advance positive animal welfare objectives which appeal to our whole society.
A YouGov poll in 2014 showed that 14% of voters named animal welfare as an issue that would determine their vote. It came directly behind Defence and ahead of HS2 or same sex marraiage.MPs are contacted on animal welfare issues more than any other issue.
The Conservative leadership needs to think carefully about the lack of appeal for a free vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act. Polls have consistently shown 80% of the public want to see the ban on hunting with dogs remain in place.
As we head towards the election in a few weeks’ time, we encourage people to contact their candidates to ask them about their standpoints on hunting with dogs and ask them to support the ban and vote against repeal.’
