Local MP urges Hull people to 'Back the Ban'

Diana Johnson MP will be in her local shopping street this weekend to support a campaign to keep the ban on hunting wild animals with dogs.

The Hull North MP will be in Hull North's Newland Avenue, near the Post Office, from 10am on Saturday morning (6 March).

In the five years since the Bill to ban hunting with dogs was passed there have been dozens of prosecutions. The forecast from pro-hunting activists of dire effects on rural communities has proven to be unfounded.

But the Hunting Act 2004 is now under threat. The Tory 'animal welfare' spokesperson has made it clear that if elected they will bring back hunting with dogs and would do so soon after the General Election.

The Lib Dems also admitted recently that they would be prepared to put such a Tory government into office if the General Election resulted in a hung parliament.

The Tory stance on hunting defies overwhelming public support for the ban. According to a recent Ipsos Mori poll, three quarters of the population do not want hunting with dogs to be made legal again. The same poll showed that 72% of the rural population want to keep the ban in place.

The national 'Back the Ban' campaign was launched on Boxing Day the traditional centre of the fox hunting calendar - by Hilary Benn and a host of celebrities, including Tony Robinson and Patrick Stewart.

Information on the 'Back the Ban' campaign can be found at www.backtheban.com.

Hull North's local MP Diana Johnson said: "Getting the Hunting Act repealed is a top priority for David Cameron even though most people are more concerned with other issues. He used to hunt and he talked about hunting in his first speech to Parliament. He has said that if he becomes Prime Minister he will get rid of the hunting ban as soon as possible.

"With Nick Clegg admitting recently that he would back a Tory government in a hung parliament, every vote for the Lib Dems would also be a vote to bring back hunting with dogs.

"Like most Hull people, I think that the barbaric, outdated and unnecessary practice of letting dogs tear foxes to pieces with their teeth had nothing to do with sport and should not return to our countryside. I want the existing law kept and enforced.

"That's why I support the 'Back the Ban' campaign and will be in Newland Avenue this weekend urging Hull people to sign up to it. They can also do so at www.backtheban.com."

Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: "If you think the Tories have changed, their views on fox hunting with dogs make it absolutely clear that their priorities haven't. They know the public doesn't agree with them on this, but they are determined to go ahead if they are given the chance.

"That's why we need to continue to campaign to stop this barbaric 'sport' from returning to our land".

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