Over the last few days I have received hundreds of emails concerning the Government’s plans to relax the ban on hunting – rest assured had we got to a vote I would have voted against the amendments.  

As you may be aware by now the Government cancelled the vote in the face of an embarrassing defeat. Many thanks to  the hundreds of constituents who have been in touch to express their strong opposition to this move – the Labour Party will be watching closely to see if the Government try to reintroduce this vote.

At the election, in our manifesto, the Labour Party pledged to keep the ban and strengthen animal welfare legislation across the board.  Unfortunately we lost and are now seeing the Government trying to weaken the ban through the backdoor.