Prime Minister pledges to hold a free vote on overturning the ban on fox hunting
Posted 5th September 2017
In response to the Prime Minister’s renewed commitment to hold a free vote, League Against Cruel Sports CEO, Eduardo Goncalves said:
“Britain’s voters have been waiting to hear what the next government will be doing on key issues like the NHS, education and Brexit. It’s a shame that Parliamentary time will be spent on trying to make fox hunting legal again. Given that 84% of the public – and 72% of Conservative voters - want fox hunting to remain illegal, this smacks of a small minority with a cruel hobby wielding an inappropriately large influence over the people in charge.
“Personally I want to live in a caring Britain, a country that cares for its people, its countryside and its animals. I want people who are cruel to animals to face a maximum penalty of five years, not six months as it is now. I want us to be compassionate and care about animals dying in the name of sport, such as trophy hunting and hare coursing. I think most people want the same. Are we really going to turn the clock back to a time when killing animals for fun was legal? I’m sure many current and future MPs of all colours feel the same way, so we hope they stand up and be counted when the time comes.”
Theresa May this afternoon during a factory visit in Leeds said the Conservatives will renew a pledge to hold a free vote on overturning the ban on fox hunting. The Prime Minister also said she was in favour of the outlawed activity but MPs would be given the final say.
Mrs May said: "This is a situation on which individuals will have one view or the other, either pro or against.
"As it happens, personally I have always been in favour of fox hunting, and we maintain our commitment, we have had a commitment previously as a Conservative Party, to allow a free vote.
"It would allow Parliament the opportunity to take the decision on this."
ENDS
Notes to Editors