Hunting ban vote is wrong priority
TORY frontbencher Nick Herbert recently confirmed that the Tories would offer a free vote on repealing Labour's hunting ban.
The League Against Cruel Sports has responded by writing to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon, asking him to look into donations made to Mr Herbert.
According to an article published in the Daily Mail, of seven donations totalling £24,500 to the shadow environment secretary's office, four came from people and organisations with known links to hunting.
While Labour is focusing on getting the county out of recession, the Conservatives want to waste parliamentary time bringing back an activity that most of their own voters don't even support. The Conservatives' obsession with blood sports illustrates their warped sense of priorities and is further evidence that they're still the same old Tories.
I just don't understand why any government would think that one of the first things to do after a general election is repeal the ban on fox hunting.
I'm sure the vast majority of people would agree that with all the challenges in the world at the moment this is completely wrongheaded.
Chris Williamson,
Leader of the Labour Group, Derby City Council.
8 Comments
by Chris, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:47PM
“Error correction, I meant "Tory MPs and MPs from other parties" )no unintentionl reference to defectors!)”
by Chris, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:44PM
“I am no fan of Chris Williamson and have never supported him as a councillor. However Mr. Williamson has been against fox hunting for many years, and he quite rightly stands by his beliefs. However it is important to remember that when the ban was being proposed a list of MPs who supported the ban was published for all to see.
I was once a member of the Young Conservatives many years ago and was considered, along with some of my peers as rebels and "left wing" because we openly opposed fox hunting or any form of blood sport. Do not "tar all with the same brush".
The list of oponents to hunting included John Major along with other prominent Tory MPs from other parties.
At the same time a good mix of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservatives were opposed to the hunting ban, many of these had constituencies that the ban was supposed to adversely affect.
A firm promise of a repeal of the ban would undoubtedly lose the votes and possibly any chance of winning an election.
Fox hunting is cruel no matter how you look at it, especially as the hounds are destroyed at 7 years of age and foxes are deliberately bred for hunting, whilst naturally wild animals are slaughtered indiscriminately.
It would be interesting to see who from other political persuasions still support fox hunting and a repeal of the ban.”
by Rob, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:29PM
“Williamson verses Kavina.
The battle for the title of who can write the most letters in a week.
Followed by who can write the most pointless letters in a week.
This is just political point scoring twaddle, gushed at by champagne socialists.”
by Geoff, Shardlow
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:01PM
“I've long since ceased to be surprised by Conservative policy priorities. This is yet another example that proves that they haven't changed; they're still the nasty party. They also want to cut inheritance tax. This will be to help out those poor banker chums of theirs. It beggars belief that anyone supports them.”
by Joanne, Derbys
Monday, November 02 2009, 12:33PM
“I heard this point raised by a prominent politician at one of the Conferences- I have to say- agree with it. Why is the repeal of the ban on fox hunting a huge priority in the Tory party?
Is it that this represents the vested intersts of some of its members- regardless of the merits or morality?
I'm sure this panders to a minority of the British population; most would see as barbaric and out of step with modern times.
I agree- more pressing issues like the economy should be focused on!”
by Sheepy, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 12:02PM
“Here he goes again. Williamson the pinko-lefty uses the DET for his own ends yet again.
FFS stop giving this waste of space any airtime! No-one respects him. OK, maybe HE respects HIMSELF, but he's not worthy of anyone's time....again and again and again.”
by Colin, Belper
Monday, November 02 2009, 11:24AM
“Oops! I just realised I spelt animals wrong - never mind.”
by Colin, Belper
Monday, November 02 2009, 11:08AM
“With wildlife crimes increasing and persecutions of badgers, foxes, deer, hare and other animals and birds more prevalent now is not the time for relaxing laws that protect them. Instead the police, Government and Crime Prosecution Service should be changing it so that there is long custodial sentences for these crimes. They are all too soft. Only then can we call ourselves a civilised society. Yes, health, education and the economy are important but so is how we treat our anomals.”