Fox hunting ban: What your MP said
Paddy Tipping, Labour MP for Sherwood:
I was a strong supporter of the ban. I was actually on a committee that considered the legislation and I'm pleased we got it through, although it took far too long.
The present government has a defined position and we're not going to change it and those that hunt should obey the law.
The Conservatives are promising change but it's far from clear what they're proposing.
They're talking about another Bill, a Private Members' Bill. But it's uncertain when they would do that and there are no guarantees that it would be early legislation if there was a Conservative Government.
I've received lots of letters about this and the vast majority are opposed to any change. People think there is a settled policy, a right policy, a humane policy and they don't want it changed.
Patrick Mercer, Conservative MP for Newark and Retford:
I think it has been effective in a wholly reverse fashion. The ban, in my constituency at least, has increased the interest in fox hunting, has increased the interest in countryside pursuit and has focused people on the narrow mindedness and class prejudice that was created by the ban. I hope an incoming Conservative government will repeal the bill as soon as possible but I have to say I hope it's not put in front of more important bills that need to be dealt with.
The majority (of my constituents) are against the act, not so much because of the issue of hunting but because of its assault on liberty and the rural way of life.
There is a tiny number who feel the opposite and I respect that. They usually make their views forcibly known to me but they're in the minority.
4 Comments
by Jack, Newark,UK
Monday, June 07 2010, 9:01AM
“Mercer talks about the rural way of life but a September 2009 poll found that four out of every five rural people want the hunting ban to stay with 76% of the population regard hunting with dogs as cruel.
Additionally Mercer conveniently forgets that it was the majority of MPs that introduce a total ban on fox hunting because decent people were opposed to killing for pleasure.
I doubt Mercer knows what the majority of his constituents think and it is wrong to use them to support cruelty. I know for a fact that Mercer oppressed the liberty of one of his constituents and was said by Dr Ian Campbell MBE to have used intimidation in the recent election.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65b2xHzUagM&feature=player_embedded”
by Mairi, UK
Friday, February 19 2010, 10:13PM
“I agree with j,leic completely. We are running a campaign to uphold the hunting act and the rural support has been overwhelming.
Most farmers are sick to death of the hunts trampling their land, causing massive damage, intimidating them if they complain, and using this issue to divide them politically from their urban friends who actually do care about the real issues affecting them.
As the Burns report concluded, lamping is the most effective and humane way to dispatch a fox - if and when necessary. If the hunts would stop breeding them for their sport, of course, it would certainly be less often 'necessary'.
M. Hayworth
Campaign For Decency”
by Dave, Nottingham
Friday, February 19 2010, 12:45PM
“What is the population of Southwell and the surrounding area, J? And how many of them does your mother know personally?”
by j, leic
Friday, February 19 2010, 12:17PM
“"There is a tiny number who feel the opposite and I respect that. They usually make their views forcibly known to me but they're in the minority"
Utter UTTER tosh. My Mum lives in Southwell and EVERYONE she knows in the town and the surrounding area is in favour of the ban. A tiny minority my ars........................”