Conservatives Against Fox Hunting celebrate the tenth anniversary of the passing of the iconic Hunting Act 2004 on Tuesday, 18th November.
The Hunting Act has been a landmark piece of legislation for animal welfare for a decade. The evidence clearly shows that the majority of people do not want to see a return to hunting with dogs for sport.
The legislation prohibited the hunting of wild mammals, including foxes, deer, hares and mink with dogs, something which the vast majority of the British public opposed and continue to oppose. The latest poll carried out by Ipsos MORI for the League Against Cruel Sports at the end of 2013 shows that 80% of people in Great Britain think that fox hunting should remain illegal and 87% think that hare hunting and coursing should also remain illegal.
Lorraine Platt, the Co Founder of Blue Fox commented:
‘On this anniversary, Conservatives Against Fox Hunting (Blue Fox ) reminds the Conservative Party leadership to guarantee that the party will not include any pledges to undermine the hunting ban in the 2015 manifesto. For too long, the party has sided with the hunting lobby rather than representing the majority of the public’s concerns on the issue of hunting with dogs
Calls for a relaxation or repeal of the hunting ban perpetuate an outmoded image. There is an increasing number of Conservative MPs who are prepared to resist repeal and say no to a return of banned sports.
We now have an ideal opportunity to dump the worn out hunting issue behind, promote a modern manifesto, in a new direction with an invigorated commitment to advance positive animal welfare objectives which appeal to our mainstream society.An Ipsos Mori poll in 2014 had demonstrated that 14% of voters named animal welfare as an issue that would determine their vote, more than HS2 or equal marriage. MPs are contacted on animal welfare issues more than any other issue.
As we head towards the election in a few months time, political parties throughout the UK are finalising their party manifesto. Of course, key areas such as the economy, education and health will be there – but we believe that issues concerning animal welfare should also be included, and we are working hard within the Conservative party to ensure the MPs know that animals matter to people.
It is important that animal welfare must be championed within every political party. In fact it is vital that it is, as animals matter to people. We encourage people to contact their MPs and candidates to ask them about their standpoints on animal welfare issues.The more voters show an interest in political standpoints about animal welfare, the more politicians will have to take a stand on it.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLoPfWVntww The new Blue Fox, Blue Badger and Blue Hare film has an important message for the Conservative Party leadership and the 2015 Manifesto
