Media Release: For immediate release
Conservatives Against Fox Hunting (Blue Fox) welcome the Prime Ministers announcement on the Andrew Marr show today that a free vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004 will not take place during this Parliament. We applaud the Prime Minister in listening to the electorate and the public and dropping the policy.
Sir Roger Gale MP, Blue Fox Patron said:
“The Prime Minister has, I believe, reflected the view of the overwhelming majority of the British people and in so doing will have enhanced her reputation as a compassionate and caring politician. Her statement is most welcome. “
For the past 8 years we have campaigned within the Conservative Party as Conservative Party supporters and activists to persuade the party leadership that associating itself with the barbaric blood sport of hunting with dogs was at odds with the clear majority of the British Public and most of its own supporters.
Sir David Amess MP, Blue Fox Patron said:
Common sense has Prevailed, the overwhelming majority of MPs do not support fox hunting and it will never be legalised again.
Conservatives Against Fox Hunting was formed to provide a vehicle for likeminded Conservative MPs and Conservative Supporters to come together to form a movement of anti-hunt opposition within the Conservative Party. Great credit needs to be paid to our early supporters and MP Patrons, many from the 2010 intake, who stood firm by their principled beliefs against the intense lobbying of the pro-hunt lobby.
Caroline Dinenage MP, Blue Fox Patron said:
“I am delighted that the Government has confirmed that there will be no vote to repeal the Hunting Act. I have always been against fox hunting and have consistently opposed attempts to re-open this debate since I was elected in 2010. I hope we can now leave this barbaric sport in the past where it belongs.”
Lorraine Platt Co- Founder of Conservatives Against Fox Hunting said:
“We welcome the announcement from the Prime Minister today on her decision to drop the policy of holding a free vote to repeal the Hunting Act. Hunting with dogs is of the past and must remain there. The Hunting Act 2004 must be obeyed in both the spirit and the letter of the law. The Conservative party must continue to make it clear to the electorate that we have heard their condemnation of those who continue to try and perpetrate this brutal pastime and that not only is the Hunting Act here to stay but that in a civilised 21st century society these activities will not be tolerated.”
Thank you to all Conservative MPs who have taken the time to listen to us and our arguments against hunting with Dogs as a blood sport and especially to those who committed to voting against any repeal of the Hunting Act 2004. A special huge thanks to our MP Patrons who include Ministers Tracey Crouch, Caroline Dinenage, Dominic Raab and two Knights of the Realm- Sir Roger Gale MP and Sir David Amess MP.
When Blue Fox was first launched in 2010, it had the committed support of 20 Conservative MPs. Today, at our last count, this stood at well over 100 Conservative MPs, more than one third of the current parliamentary party, with a further number stating they would have abstained had a free vote ever been brought before parliament. A vote to repeal the Hunting Act 2004 would never have been won by pro hunt supporting MP’s in this Parliament. We look forward to when it is confirmed that the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004 is no longer ever part of any future Government or Conservative Party Policy.
Ends
