Network For Animals Logo
Network For Animals Logo
  • Home
  • How we take action
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Home
  • How we take action
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
Donate now
  • How we take action
  • Testimonials
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Donate
Menu
  • How we take action
  • Testimonials
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Donate

Team Fox Brief Labour MPs at House of Commons

  • April 5, 2017
  • Hunting with Hounds
  • United Kingdom

This Monday 6th July, Network for Animals collaborated in a Team Fox parliamentary briefing for Labour MPs on the fight against hunting. As with our successful briefing with Conservative MPs last week, the aim was for Labour MPs to learn about the work we and our supporters are doing, and to reach out for parliamentary support in stopping the repeal of the Hunting Act when it goes to a free vote in the House of Commons.

Unsurprisingly, given their track record on animal welfare issues, there was a great turn out of Labour MPs, headed up by Angela Smith MP, who has been very vocal about her commitment to keeping the Hunting Act in place. With only one notable exception, Kate Hoey, every Labour MP is against the repeal, which is wonderful news. Angela Smith keenly advised her colleagues that to win, they all have to turn up and vote when the time comes.  Given the English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) debates in parliament this week, which may result in the SNP being unable to vote against the repeal, Angela’s message to her fellow MPs is all the more important.

Dr Brian May spoke to the MPs about the poor excuses the pro-hunting lobby use for wanting a repeal: That hunting is merely a form of wildlife management and that it is part of countryside tradition, echoing his comments to Michael Portillo last week.

Kirsten Anderson from Network for Animals emphasised to the MPs how important it was to eradicate the notion put forward by many in the pro-hunting lobby, that opposition to hunting with hounds is a class issue. None of us who are against this cruel bloodsport have anything other than animal welfare in mind as we fight to save the Hunting Act.

In agreement, Dr May expressed how happy he was that so many Conservative MPs are now speaking out against hunting, and Angela Smith echoed these sentiments by saying it was “absolutely not a class issue”, and that we are all working together, across parties and backgrounds, to stop animal cruelty.

Footage filmed by anti-hunt campaigners over the years, and indeed very recently, has highlighted the issue of hunts manipulating fox numbers to ensure that hunts have access to foxes when required on a hunt day. This demonstrates hunting enthusiasts’ unforgivable enjoyment of defenceless animals being ripped apart by hounds. Given that the humane alternative of Drag Hunting offers all of the tradition with none of the cruelty (hounds following an artificial scent, and ignore any wildlife they happen to come across during the event), it is ridiculous for the pro-hunting lobby to suggest that the Hunting Act is denying them the tradition of anything other than barbaric cruelty.

Network for Animals feel a tangible air of optimism amongst animal lovers, crossing party divides in Westminster, and have high hopes that the repeal will be unsuccessful. That said, we mustn’t become complacent, and urge our supporters to continue writing to MPs, urging them to vote against the repeal when the time comes. Our supporters’ emails have already made many MPs take notice: Let’s make sure they are ALL paying attention!

[box]

 Petition David Cameron, Prime Minister to reveal his plans

Petition Angus Robertson, SNP Leader in Westminster to help his party stand against the hunters

[/box]

By supporting our work, you are reaching out with caring hands to stop animal abuse

Please donate now
Stay up to date

Stay up to date

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Donations in ACTION in February

Your Donations in ACTION in February 2021

During the month of love, you said “I do” to showing animals across the globe how big your heart is! Because of your support, we

3 March 2021

Humbug From Hugs Finds His Forever Home

Good news! One of the rescued Dartmoor Dozen ponies has found a forever home. Humbug, who was abandoned with his companions in a barren field

3 March 2021

How to Ease Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

Does your happy-go-lucky dog turn into a bundle of nerves every time you leave him alone? He may be suffering from separation anxiety. If your

24 February 2021

Why Your Dog Goes Gaga Over Baby-talk

Are you looking for ways to build a better relationship with your dog? Research has found that the best way to gain your pooch’s love

23 February 2021

Help us fight cruelty to animals around the world

Click here to donate

Network for Animals

Network for Animals is a non-government, international animal welfare organisation crusading for animals around the world.

© Network for Animals
Privacy policy

Campaigns

Cats In Crisis Disaster Relief Dogs In Distress Elephants Hunting with Hounds Organized Horse Fighting Seal Hunt Worldwide Donkey Crisis

Stay up to date

Receive our regular emails about our campaigns for animals around the world.

Sign up

Stay up to date with our campaigns

Contact us

+1 727 599 8148
+44 (0)20 8471 7666
info@networkforanimals.org

Facebook-f
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram
Linkedin

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

I agree