Pro hunters in Gloucestershire realistic about changes to the law
PRO-HUNTING groups in Gloucestershire will have to wait for any repeal of the ban under the coalition government.
They said they do not expect the new Conservative and Liberal Democrat Cabinet to get rid of the hunting ban at a time when the economy should be its top priority.
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The Cotswold Hunt
Both their manifestos prior to the election said an open vote would be held to decide whether the hunting ban should be repealed.
Carole Adams, secretary of The Cotswold Hunt said: "We'll bide our time. We realise this isn't an important issue at the moment and we will have to wait and see what happens. The hunt has to be realistic about this right now."
Jo Aldridge, spokeswoman for the Beaufort Hunt, which rides out at various locations across the county including Badminton and Heythrop, agreed.
She said: "The new coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats has only just been formed. They have many more vitally important problems to deal with, not least the mess the economy is in.
"Both parties have said they will allow a free vote and we have no reason to doubt David Cameron's sincerity, but the time has to be right. We must allow them to get on with sorting out the mess the country is in."
But not only has the new Liberal-Conservative coalition quietly dropped any explicit mention of tackling the hunting ban, any free vote appears doomed to fail too.
When the Conservatives fell short of an overall majority, it also meant the hunting campaign appears to have fallen short of a majority of pro-hunting MPs in the new parliament.
New figures released by the League Against Cruel Sports suggested that, if the free vote promised in the Conservative manifesto were to happen, Parliament would decide by 328 votes to 293 to maintain the ban.
The league said it based its figures on the views of candidates before they were elected.
More than half expressed their opinion on hunting to both the league and the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance, and of those who were voted in at the General Election, 210 supported the ban and 169 wanted it repealed.
The pro-hunting community has played down the chances of the Government immediately repealing the Act.
Delly Everard from the Countryside Alliance said there were much more pressing matters to deal with right now such as the economy.
"David Cameron and the Conservatives have given a commitment to lifting the ban when the time is right. There are bigger issues right now including affordable housing and better rural services and we will also be lobbying Government on these, as well as defending and protecting country sports," she said.
Cotswold MP Geoffrey-Clifton Brown said he would not be pushing for a vote so soon with other more important matters on the agenda.
He said he would vote to repeal the current law, adding: "It's not something that works and a more sensible arrangement needs to be found."
Cheltenham's Liberal Democrat MP Martin Horwood has always said he is against blood sports and would vote with his "conscience" on the issue.
"Hunting will be a free vote in the House of Commons and I will vote against repealing the ban if that happens," he said.
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by James, Glos
Tuesday, May 18 2010, 10:56AM
“I would prefer that hunting with hounds didn't happen but I don't feel as strongly as many on this issue.
What does annoy me is that the hunters are using the fact that they have ignored the law as a reason to change it.
If MPs are in favour of fox hunting they should argue their case in the commons. However if its just because the law is "unworkable" then give it the teeth it needs to be workable.”
by Bored, Glos
Tuesday, May 18 2010, 9:05AM
“Annoyed tempers will get frayed when you are being hounded by people with cameras. But it works both ways what about the antis damaging peoples property and intimidating and threatening hunters and there familys?
"Most people today do not agree with hunting with hounds,"
I think you'll find support for hunting has only grown since the ban. My local boxing day meet used to be maybe 100 supporters now it gets thousands and you can't move in the town for people.
I think people think that hunts have less support because antis are more vocal than pros. Again it comes down to this stupid class war which seems to get the antis all hot under the collar.”
by Simon Henly, Eastington
Monday, May 17 2010, 9:16PM
“Gordon, I think you will find that they are the kind of pests that spread deadly diseases and are not killed for sport, Also I think you will find that they are killed in the quickest way possible, not chased for hours for fun.
Farmer Palmer. You are just funny please carry on”
by BOBFLY, FAIRFORD
Monday, May 17 2010, 8:51PM
“Here we go again. It's bigots' favourite sport! Nothing really to do with foxes though is it?
Why not target a cruel "sport" no-one dares to comment on? Anyone who is in denial that FISHING is not cruel is frankly a hypocrite.
There are 4-5 million reasons why and the RSPCA, and all the silly bunny huggers are in the same boat on it.
Fishing (what! but that's a pastime isn't it?) is, playing with live animals at the end of a piece of nylon. And just look at the dead fish along a river after a match. Yes, livebaiting, with real live animals takes place near YOU.
Hunting HELPS foxes and much else.....a paradox that is unpalatable but true. Charlie would agree as well!”
by Annoyed, Fod
Monday, May 17 2010, 6:03PM
“Right then pro hunters, I have a question for you all. I watched a programme in which hunt monitors were surrounded by cretins on horses accusing them of filming their children and implying that the monitors were peadophiles. Why was this necassary, what did you have to hide? Were you breaking the law? Why would you object to monitors? Please don't try the privacy arguement, it won't wash.
I'm afraid the long and the short of it is, you got a coalition that both promised a free vote, but you will still lose, when will you admit defeat? Most people today do not agree with hunting with hounds, this law does not need repealing, it needs strenthening in my opinion, which is why for the first time I did not vote for the Tories. ( neither did I vote labour before you start)”
by Amy, Cotswolds
Monday, May 17 2010, 5:49PM
“Thats just the kind of bad attitude people hate though...there is nothing "accidental" about it. Are you seriously telling me hunters just happen to come across a fox?! I dont think so. Its a blatent flouting of the law with no respect for the law.
I could "accidentally" pick up something from the shop and not pay for it...doesnt mean it isnt illegal, Iit doesnt make it right, it just hasnt been caught.”
by Bored, Glos
Monday, May 17 2010, 5:42PM
“It is a fact that they can not be rehomed. A few of the breeds can be but alot of them need special care completly different from a normal dog. They are very strong and not all dogs will take to a muzzle. Mine tries to get it off by any means possible if you put one on her even if she hurts herself doing it.
Its not illegal to ride out with the hounds and its not illegal to "accidentally" catch a fox so hunting still happens in some form hense this conversation. So its not that i'm for illegal things happening but I'm not going to pretend it doesn't.”
by Amy, Cotswolds
Monday, May 17 2010, 5:26PM
“Bored Glos, of course they wouldnt need to be put down...what about all greayhounds who are ex-racers, they are rehoused. All hounds wouldbe able to b rehomed, just muzzled when taken on walks (as a lot of responsible dog owners already do)
Also I think youll find that the fact the Cotswold Hunt is still functioning is proof enough that hunting is still happening. I know of a few people myself who still hunt and dont give a damn its illegal so dont even try and pretend it isnt happening, its ignorant and patronising. And I see you didnt quibble about the fact its still illegal, therefore it shouldnt be happening, end of.”
by Bored, Glos
Monday, May 17 2010, 5:13PM
“Amy, with bear baiting the animal sufers for most of its life for the amusment of others. In fox hunting the fox will suffer for seconds they are two totally different things. With Whaling the main problem is that they are driving species to extintion not the whaling its self again totally different from fox hunting they are not in any danger of being hunted to extintion hunting ban or not.
I don't think any hunter on here has said that they are still hunting so once again your argument is rubbish.
Also once again I see no anti's have come up with any ideas about what to do with the thousands of hounds that will need to be put down if hunting was properly banned not to mention the loss of entire breeds of hound. Oh and before any one comes up with the arugment about drag hunting thats all very well for some hunts but it wont keep every hunt going.”
by amy, cotswolds
Monday, May 17 2010, 4:53PM
“Everyone seems to conveniantly forget that at present, hunting is ILLEGAL. These pro hunters who are clearly flouting the law should be punished like any other criminal who choses to break the law to suit their own needs. Im sure pro hunters have a thing or two to say about other criminals...bit hypocritical dont you think??
Also...ive asked this before, but what do hunters think about bear baiting, and whaleing (sorry if thats not spelt right). Most people are horrified when those subjects are brought up but fox hunting is just as cruel and pointless (there is nothing humane about having a dog tear a fox limb from limb no matter what you think).
As for the person who said foxes have no natural predator so one should be introduced...is that your logic for the mindless hunters too who also have no natural predator? They are killing pointlessly too...who is there to rid the countryside of them???”