There are more important things than repealing hunting ban
THE whole question of fox hunting has been in the news again this week because it is five years since the hunting ban was passed.
I have had a number of letters on the issue asking me to make my views clear, partly because political opponents are wrongly implying that a Conservative Government would overturn the ban.
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I think the people have well and truly spoken on this issue. They elected a Government in 2001 who promised to ban fox hunting. There was a subsequent election just after the ban came in, and Labour won again.
That surely should have drawn a line under it. We have many new and important issues that we need to face, and new pressing decisions to be made. I think 95 per cent of the public will think us wrong to re-open the debate at a time of economic and social crisis like this, so I do not especially welcome the proposal to hold another vote on hunting, even if it is a free vote for Conservatives.
Much of the Armageddon promised by the pro-hunt lobby before the ban has failed to materialise. Thousands of dogs were not put down, the countryside has not become an economic desert and we are not overrun with packs of marauding foxes. In fact, many of the historic hunts are more popular and successful now than in the pre-ban days.
David Cameron agreed to a debate on a 'free vote' basis because existing Conservative MPs demanded it. The current Parliament has only 193 Conservatives, mostly from rural constituencies; but if we win in 2010 we will be adding at least a hundred new Conservative MPs from urban constituencies whose thoughts on this issue are very different.
I have always said that — if elected — I am not going to vote to re-instate hunting with dogs and I know that many of my fellow Conservative PPCs are inclined to the same view.
We cannot know the make-up of the next House of Commons, much less know the terms and details of a future Bill, but it is not true that a Conservative victory at the next election will necessarily lead to an end to the ban on hunting with dogs.
MARCUS WOOD
Parliamentary Candidate for the Torbay Conservatives
8 Comments
by Tony Barsby, Birmingham
Wednesday, November 25 2009, 5:12PM
“Cameron and Hague are unwise to contest clear majority support for the ban. Assuming the Tories get elected, they will not be forgiven for wasting Parliamentary time debating a repeal - especially when Parliamentary time is urgently needed to redress the mess that the labour party has made of the economy.”
by Mairi, UK
Thursday, November 19 2009, 10:55PM
“Finally a brave Tory out there speaking for the majority of this country. Wish there were more of you.
Well done indeed!”
by Janice, Yorkshire
Thursday, November 19 2009, 7:25PM
“A repeal of the hunting ban would be a gross miscarriage of justice.
In this day and age it is inconceivable that groups of men and women take their pleasure from the torture and suffering of an animal.
The ban must stand.”
by Barbara, Shildon, Co Durham
Thursday, November 19 2009, 5:17PM
“I'm glad to read that at least one member of the conservative party thinks cameron has got his priorities wrong. ( Non use of capitals intentional) He certainly comes across as rabid for the chance to set his mates and their hounds on wild animals again. Personally I don't trust them an inch and I'd put money on them repealing the ban by some back door nefarious means, so, although I applaud Mr Wood, it's vote Labour for me.”
by Paul, West Devon
Thursday, November 19 2009, 12:40PM
“Well said Marcus! Voterswill not forgive or forget if a future Conservative government wastes time overturning an important animal welfare measure which is supported by three quarters of the public.”
by Anna Celeste Watson, Dorset
Thursday, November 19 2009, 12:01PM
“I thought politicians and the government were supposed to deal with ALL issues and running the whole country as well as local counties? Yes there are many important issues affecting humans in the UK but animal welfare will ALWAYS matter too. A LOT of good people spent years to get the ban in place - why should a new government be able to try and overturn it just because a lot of their types like it as a traditional blood sport they enjoy which we all know is really why the Tories want it back. I trust that it won't happen as the public have shown they don't think it is acceptable in this day and age - it's called PROGRESS! : )”
by Brian, Paignton
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 4:23PM
“Well people say they want mp's not to follow the party line all the time and it seems Mr Wood does have a mind of his own after all. But I bet he is a voice in the wilderness to the rest of his Tory colleagues.”
by Mike Westwood, Brixham
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 12:25PM
“Yes there are more important things than repealing the hunting ban. The first one that springs to mind is the referendum. You know the one Cameron promised us and then weazled his way out of it.
I have always stated that if ex -British politicians were NEVER allowed to stand as Euro MP's the we would not even be in Europe. You know as well as I do that Europe is the future MP gravy train.”