World events continue to head the political agenda for some. The media too have focused on Iraq for many months with much hand wringing, blame and accusations of distrust. But talk to many Members of Parliament about what is the biggest issue in their postbags and their answer is …wait for it…. hunting.
Still viewed as ‘unfinished business’, this too is an intrinsic issue of trust in Labour. In the 1997 landslide victory many MPs fought their winning campaigns on the promise to ban hunting. It secured many a Tory ‘switcher’ to back New Labour. In October 1997 with Michael Foster’s Private Members Bill first on the list, MORI polled rural areas (not seen as traditional Labour territory) and found that 57 percent supported a ban on hunting with dogs.
Opponents began an equally well-publicised and forceful campaign probably feeling that on this issue the New Labour government were leading the field. But even as they gathered for their first Countryside Rally baying for political blood Tony Blair indicated he would be voting for the Bill: ‘I have voted before in favour of a ban on fox hunting, and I shall continue to do so. I believe that a ban may be imposed without the massive destruction to the countryside that some people fear. We are all entitled to make up our minds according to the evidence.’
Anti-hunt protestors could sense victory at the end of the chase . But splits were already showing in the Labour party, which would eventually hinder successful progress to a ban. Within the House of Lords, that bastion of support for traditional country ‘sports’, Labour peer Baroness Mallalieu of the ‘Leave County Sports Alone’ campaign claimed the government had not been elected to criminalise hundreds and thousands of decent law-abiding people.
The perceived class divide, as it was now becoming, added to the delay. Urban areas were still more in support of a ban and the pro- hunters vilified the ‘townies’ ignorance of country life then portrayed Labour MPs supporting the legislation as ‘out of touch’ with the reality of what hunting did to support the rural economy. Comparisons with the Thatcher government’s destruction of working class mining communities during the 1980s did little to galvanise the political fight and positions became entrenched as votes on a ban came and went with no substantial progress. Missed opportunities to push any bill through the Lords took the initial strong momentum out of the campaign to enforce a ban.
Then, the bill introduced in the 2000-2001 parliamentary session fell due to the announcement of the general election. Once again, in their manifesto, Labour promised a free vote to enable parliament to reach a conclusion on the long running issue. Supporters were encouraged to vote Labour for one more heave to pass the legislation. Across the political spectrum longstanding supporters such as Tony Banks, Ann Widdicombe and Norman Baker debated and despaired about the continued delays.
Even with the comprehensive Burns Report little detailed progress on legislation was made. Ironically, Burns commented that should a ban on hunting be implemented, it would need careful scrutiny to comply with the European convention on human rights – so for once the Tories might have praised the involvement of Europe in our law making plans!
Meanwhile the opposition was gathering. In September 2002 more than 400,000 people converged on London for a Countryside Alliance march. In parliament, the ‘Middle Way’ group was increasing its support as some MPs wavered in their original commitments to ‘fight this all the way to the ban’. The issue of licensing some hunts was raised. Even with Scotland introducing legislation, some felt the time for an outright ban in England had passed.
But overwhelmingly the general public still protest in high numbers for a complete and unequivocal ban on fox hunting. Campaigns run by organisations including the RSPCA, League Against Cruel Sports and IFAW still manage to motivate hundreds and thousands of people to send in postcards and write letters of support. Petitions continue to be presented to MPs from activists collecting signatures up and down the country and local activity is mobilised for anti-hunt protests. Notably, many young people also protest that on this single issue the Labour government should by now have delivered on their promise to introduce a ban.
But somewhere along the political path it feels as if the will to continue to fight to introduce legislation has been worn away by the leadership. Continued fudges over proposals and allowing the pro-hunting lobby to gain publicity and support has dampened much of the 1997 elation. Seven years into a Labour government it is seen that there are ‘more important issues’ to discuss and legislate for. This is probably true. But then again many voters seven years ago took a first time chance, trusted and voted for this Labour government to keep a promise. The promise to ban fox hunting. By now with such a majority, the matter could and should be resolved.