I accept that the question of Hunting (of foxes and other
mammals) is an emotive issue that provokes strong feels on both sides.
Let me state from the start that I married a farmer’s daughter, I
have always had strong links to the local rural community and I am a passionate
believer that our Cornish, traditional rural way of life is under attack from
the metropolitan dominance in our country (this is not a party political
statement, just a fact that most of the decisions made are heavily weighted
towards our cities). I will always seek
to stand up for our local rural communities and protect our traditional Cornish
way of life.
In my view the Hunting Act was one of the most terrible pieces of
legislation passed under Tony Blair. It was a classic piece of class warfare
voted through by people who have virtually no knowledge of rural communities
and the issues we face. When it was debated in Parliament Labour MPs admitted
that the ban was revenge for the miners - which just about sums up why Labour
pushed it through. The fox was
an afterthought, and there is no evidence at all that it is better off for this
law.
The current position costs the taxpayer a small fortune in police
and court time mainly due to malicious
allegations being made by animal rights activists. Devon and Cornwall Police
receive dozens of allegations which they have to investigate, but not a single
hunt in the two counties has ever been convicted of illegal hunting.
Should there be a vote to repeal the Hunting Act my tendency
would certainly be towards supporting our local rural communities many of which
are directly involved in hunting and vote for repeal - I will not hide that
fact. One of the reasons is that it is clear that, should Labour ever get back
in power, they now have other rural activities in their sights such as shooting, which featured heavily in
the Labour manifesto. We need to draw a line and stand up for rural
countryside pursuits and not allow our way of life to be taken from us.
