Outlawing the cruel 'sport' of hunting wild animals with dogs has long enjoyed high levels of public support; a recent MORI poll shows 69per cent want fox hunting to be illegal.
Yet around 100,000 wild animals are still cruelly hounded to death annually.
Labour were elected in 1997 with a longstanding anti-hunt policy and a commitment to a ban if MPs wanted one.
In 1998 the largest-ever majority for a Private Members Bill clearly showed they did. But, despite five more Commons votes for a ban, we have since had prevarication, delays, inquiries, options and blockage.
To effect a ban the Government must bring back the Hunting Bill, allowing MPs to use the Parliament Act to overcome opposition by the unelected Lords.
However, Ministers, including Tony Blair, will not commit publicly to this. We suspect they hope to allow a 'regulated' form of fox hunting to continue.
This issue is now also about trust in democracy; if MPs votes don't count, what's the point of ours?
Readers wanting a ban should write to or e-mail their MP and Mr Blair (via www.number-10.gov.uk) and demand the Hunting Bill be returned intact to the Commons in this session.
A Kirby,
Press Officer,
Protect Our Wild Animals
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