Gloucestershire MPs back hunting ban repeal
Gloucestershire's Conservative MPs have vowed to back plans to repeal the fox hunting ban.
Shadow environment secretary Nick Herbert yesterday confirmed the party's intention to repeal the ban should they win by a majority in the next general election.
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Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said he would support any plan to use a Government Bill to reverse the ban.
He said: "I will be supporting the plan and I will be including it in my manifesto. I support fox hunting and I represent more hunts than most other members of Parliament.
"I realise it is a controversial issue, but whether you support the idea of fox hunting or not, the current situation is totally unsatisfactory.
"The original Bill was incredibly poorly drafted, and there have been huge problems with the police being able to prove that the law has been broken."
Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson said he would support plans to repeal the ban, but felt there should be "safeguards" in place.
He said: "I voted against the ban in the first place on a number of issues. I thought the ban was unworkable, and in some areas hunting has been carrying on as it always did.
"It was just bad legislation and I think that if new legislation is brought in it won't be a complete repeal, at least that is what I am hoping. I think there do need to be certain safeguards in place, as far as welfare is concerned."
Meanwhile, Stroud Labour MP David Drew has hit out at the plan, calling it "both reprehensible and repressive".
He said: "It shows the Tories as they real are, the nasty party and totally out of touch with real rural issues.
"If they ever really contemplated a repeal, I fear for law and order in the countryside as ordinary people object to such brutality."
Ian Farquhar, joint master of the Duke of Beaufort Hunt, said: "We agree wholeheartedly that this is bad law and was a waste of time.
"Repeal is important for all of those whose jobs and livelihood depend on it."
Tory leader David Cameron has described the ban as a "farce" and said he would hold a Commons vote on repealing the act if the Conservatives were elected.
There was speculation in recent weeks that this would be done through a back-bench private member's bill, which would have less chance of becoming law due to a lack of parliamentary time.
But writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Nick Herbert said: "There is a compelling case to sweep this law off the statute book.
"That is why David Cameron has said that, if we are elected, we will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a Government Bill in Government time.
"There will be no watering down or retreat from this pledge, which will be repeated in our election manifesto."
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by Proof Reader, Editing Suite
Thursday, October 22 2009, 9:06AM
“A bit off topic now but in reply to Jeremy: I reserve the right to anonymity. I understand that when making comments about free roaming sheep this may be the safest tactic.”
by hunter, Tirley
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 9:40PM
“Ok so after the way Labour has screwed us working class over, we are STILL willing to vote for them to savecute little foxes!?!? To me this dosnt make sense there is more important matters going on at this present time that we should be concerned about.. Vote Tory for a change for the better.. kepp hunting (trail hunting that it is )”
by hunter, Tirley
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 9:35PM
“After everything that Labour has done for this country (screwed us working class right over) but people are still willing to vote for them to save poor foxes?!?! to me this dosent make sense lets vote torys for a change for the better!! Keep hunting (trail hunting)”
by Norman Bryant, copsale
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 6:18PM
“To FOD, I really can't give you any credibilty to your comments, five minutes for a fox to die, what were they doing with it then as our hounds kill immediately so god knows what you are on about, if you have been on a farm you must also know the noise that chickns and lambs make when our furry friend goes out on the kill and a fox enjoys the kill as he might eat one but might kill twelve.
Foxes are not like the ones portrayed in Enid Blytons books.”
by Tewkesbury resident, Tewkesbury
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 4:23PM
“For some reason my comment on this article has been deleted, I can't understand it all i said was how famous our MP was for his love of riding, now where's the harm in that, talk about police state!”
by Kath, Chelt
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 4:22PM
“Ban the hunt,FOD. Well said Sir! You saved me from typing the very same thing. There's a whole world of difference between nature and needless barbarity”
by Ban the hunt, FOD
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 3:55PM
“Norman Bryant, copsale - have you ever seen the foxes being caught? I have plenty of them as I grew up on a farm and have been on a hunt to find out exactly what goes on before I comment on it!! THE FOX MAKES A BLOOD CURDLING SCREAMING NOISE WHILE THEY ARE TORN LIMB FROM LIMB!!! after about 5 mins, they die in agony!! sorry to be graphic, but it is the reality of hunting!!!
Lions and Tigers or other predators attack other animals for food, they do not breed and train dogs to kill for the enjoyment of these so-called sports men and women!!!”
by Norman Bryant, copsale
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 3:06PM
“Don't any of those opposed ever watch the wildlife programs where Lions or Tigers kill an animal which does take some time to die, with hunting normally the Fox if caught is dead in seconds, I know what I would prefer.
The law that banned this was rushed through with the parliment act just to have a dig at the Tories, not really a good reason for a law.”
by Kath, Chelt
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 1:39PM
“I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised that most views match mine. Barbaric pastime for toffs and inadequates. I vote for hunting for hunters, I'd be up for a spot of that anyday, bring it on. Obviously we'd have to nail all of their doors closed so they couldn't seek refuge and then when we catch them we can rip them to shreds and sit around watching them die slowly,then smear their blood on the faces of some random children, licking my lips at the very thought of it!”
by ban the hunt, fod
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 9:11AM
“"Tory leader David Cameron has described the ban as a "farce" and said he would hold a Commons vote on repealing the act if the Conservatives were elected"
Notice it is a COMMONS VOTE, most of them go hunting, need I say more!!!!!”