LABOUR were elected in 1997 on a Labour party manifesto that promised that there would be a free vote on hunting with dogs.
Like many other manifesto pledges, they have exceeded expectations and there was a succession of votes on the subject throughout that Parliament.
Eight times the House of Commons has voted on the issue and it has consistently supported a complete ban on hunting. Unfortunately, none of these votes led to an actual ban on hunting.
For me, and many like me, the only conclusion possible is that hunting with dogs is consigned to the dustbin of history. Only a complete ban will do. Anything else will mean the debate dragging on. The current proposal for legislation on hunting will not resolve the issue for me, or for the 72 per cent of the population who believe that hunting should be illegal.
It is clear to me that the moral and practical case for a ban on hunting with dogs has been made, that the arguments have been won and that the only proper option left for Parliament is to get on with implementing a ban.
Jeanne Young
Bolton
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