Blue Fox MPs and Conservatives Against Fox Hunting in the Western Daily Press 30/8/2011

By August 31, 2011 Uncategorised

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Fox-hunting-row-erupts-Welsh-MP-calls-vote/story-13230234-detail/story.html Please read the full article here

 The Western Daily Press reports;’There are understood to be at least 23 Tory MPs opposed to hunting, which would be enough to win a Commons vote, if they are joined by Labour and Lib Dems.

The Blue Foxes are mainly younger, first-time MPs who support the Conservatives Against Fox Hunting group, and do not believe bloodsports have any place in modern Britain.’

We would like to point out that there are some well established Conservative MPs , some of whom have been in Parliament for over 20 years and have steadily spoken out against fox hunting. MPs- Roger Gale, David Amess,  and Lee Scott are not part of the new intake of Conservative MPs and are against a return of hunting with dogs.

The Conservative Anti Hunt Council was launched in the mid 1980s and campaigned against hunting with dogs.

 Margaret Thatcher was against the sport of hare coursing which is currently banned under the Hunting Act 2004 along with fox, stag and hare hunting with dogs. If repeal is successful these now banned ‘sports’ will once again be awarded legal status and  their return will allow unnecessary suffering for wild mammals experienced in the chase and being set upon by a pack of dogs. They are currently banned and illegal and the RSPCA lobbies the Coalition government for them to remain so. We place our trust in animal welfare organisations  who support the ban rather than a minority pro hunting lobby group whose self interest lies in their activity once again being allowed for their supporters.

 Of course, the most famous Conservative MP  to speak out against  hunting with dogs is Ann Widdicombe. This now retired former MP has always maintained her stance against fox hunting and continues to do so. Her latest article was written in the Dail Express  newspaper on the 31st August 2011 and writes about the importance of hunt monitors.

 ‘THE most telling aspect of the prosecution of the huntsman Julian Barnfield for illegal foxhunting is that the evidence wasn’t gathered by a hard pressed police but by hunt monitors, an intrepid small band of mainly elderly people who film hunt activities.

While there is no suggestion in this case of intimidation, monitors endure harassment and even assault from hunters.’

 The article is titled ‘Monitors Help Keep Hunt Legal’ and can be read on the following link;

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/268195/Monitors-help-keep-hunt-legal/