Tories must not drag us back to hunting dark age
FIVE years have passed since the Hunting Act was introduced and Lincoln should be proud that our MP Gillian Merron voted for, and continues to support, the fox hunting ban (November 21).
The vast majority of citizens support the ban (75 per cent, if the latest MORI poll is to be believed) and this reflects our country's healthy respect for animal welfare.
But, due to the appalling and ardent opposition by Conservatives in the Commons and Lords, the Act is not as absolute as it ought to be.
Therefore, the ban is being flouted by many exploiting what they believe to be loopholes, or just with plain disregard for the law.
To help prevent this, voluntary hunt monitors have assisted in achieving more than 50 convictions across the country in the face of extreme hostility, in some cases violence, and they deserve the highest praise for doing so.
It is difficult to understand why, in the 21st century, some people would still consider tearing an animal to pieces in the name of sport acceptable.
Opponents of the ban will often give three reasons why the law should not have been passed: class prejudice, consequences for the countryside and tradition.
I would like to counter all three. Firstly, it is not an issue of class. It is an issue of animal welfare.
Those who feel discriminated against by the ban because of their class should perhaps not feel so persecuted.
Secondly, it has been pleasing that the socio-economic damage predicted for rural communities by those who opposed the ban has proved to be unfounded.
And finally, a central tenet of Conservative belief is that of organic change.
That tradition can give way to change when organically developed over time.
Well, as the MORI poll already quoted suggests, most people in this country support the ban.
It is time for tradition to give way to change.
Which begs the question: Why has Tory leader David Cameron and his party promised to repeal this act if elected?
I would like to invite Lincoln's prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate, Karl McCartney, to enlighten us over his opinion of the prospect of the Hunting Act being repealed by a potential Conservative Government.
I suspect that he is hoping to sneak into Westminster without ever having his position on the issue challenged.
Don't be fooled by Cameron's claims of "progressive conservatism" – it doesn't exist.
If Cameron and his friends were politically progressive, they would not have joined the Conservative Party.
The Conservatives must not be allowed to repeal the Hunting Act against the will of the majority of the population, as it would be an act of regression that would allow those who indulge in barbaric cruelty to continue to do so.
Mr R. Pollard Lincoln.
35 Comments
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by FRANK, lincoln
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 6:45PM
“sorry i must agree gillian meron is feathering her own nest and does not give a fig about you or i she agrees with anything the priminister say to get her where she want to go.”
by frank, lincoln
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 6:43PM
“sorry but gillian merron is feathering her own nest and she does'nt give a fig about you or i.”
by Steve, At Work
Friday, November 27 2009, 3:38PM
“Bring back fox hunting. If you dont like it dont go watch it its that simple.”
by Emma Wasp, Lincoln
Friday, November 27 2009, 11:28AM
“"Still doesn't mean I have said it is Summer. I am tired of summer as I know there is one to come. As I am tired of going to the gym. I am not in a gym presently but was in one yesterday and will be going tomorrow. So I can correctly state I am tired of the gym, even though I am not there."
Yep, keep on flailing. Your obsession over this is getting disturbing, though.
"Good, we are down to use of English, the lowest common denominator on here and shows just how far away you are getting again."
You started it by telling me to check my comprehension. It's down there in black and white if you've forgotten. And as I said, I can only respond to what's in front of me.
"I am not doing any back tracking at all"
No. Of course you aren't. So we can add obsessive behaviour, delusion and short term memory loss to your growing list of issues. You haven't been smoking naughty cigarettes, have you?
"Unfortunately you haven't been able to pick on someone less intelligent than yourself on here as you usually do out of some warped self gratification."
No, you're describing yourself. You came barelling in here with no point whatsoever, but you thought you'd just pick an argument anyway. In doing so, you've exposed yourself merely as someone with such low self esteem they just have to be right at any and all costs. It's now getting boring and I'm about to take a POETS day, so I'll leave you to have the last word and convince yourself you've won at 'teh interweb.' Enjoy.”
by Tired Of Summer, It Brings Wasps
Friday, November 27 2009, 10:57AM
“Yeah but you should get your work done, and get out there. So much to see and do, don't spend your time on here being smug and snide.”
by Monsieur Sneer, Paris
Friday, November 27 2009, 10:47AM
“"Still doesn't mean I have said it is Summer. I am tired of summer as I know there is one to come. As I am tired of going to the gym. I am not in a gym presently but was in one yesterday and will be going tomorrow. So I can correctly state I am tired of the gym, even though I am not there."
Fascinating. Are you by any chance touring the UK giving lectures? If so, I'd love to attend one. I'm sure it would be a ripsnorting evening of high octane entertainment.
"I take pity on anyone who finds themselves in a city like Paris and has little more to do than type "witty" barbs on this website."
If I was here on leisure you might have a point. However, I'm not, so you don't. So here's another phrase for you: don't assume, it makes an ass out of u and me.”
by Tired Of Summer, It Bring Wasps
Friday, November 27 2009, 10:25AM
“Still doesn't mean I have said it is Summer. I am tired of summer as I know there is one to come. As I am tired of going to the gym. I am not in a gym presently but was in one yesterday and will be going tomorrow. So I can correctly state I am tired of the gym, even though I am not there.
Good, we are down to use of English, the lowest common denominator on here and shows just how far away you are getting again.
I am not doing any back tracking at all, you have yet to put up a convincing arguement to anything, you saying you have doesn't mean you have. Unfortunately you haven't been able to pick on someone less intelligent than yourself on here as you usually do out of some warped self gratification.
Sneer, it would interesting to argue but I take pity on anyone who finds themselves in a city like Paris and has little more to do than type "witty" barbs on this website. Although, I do like your phrase, might keep that for later.”
by Emma Wasp, Lincoln
Friday, November 27 2009, 10:00AM
“"It simply idicates I am tired of Summer not that it is Summer."
The implication for those of us who speak English is that if you're tired of something, you're currently suffering from it. My dentist gave me a local anaesthetic in June and I got tired of having a numb mouth. However, I wouldn't go around now saying "I'm tired of the effect that injection had on my jaw" because that's the sort of thing a stupid person would do. Oh, wait...
"Check you comprehension."
Check 'you' grammar.
"Ironic about the arguement being won or lost as you have completely drifted away from Merron suggesting the white flag is waving."
I can only debate what is put in front of me. As it is, I'm just waiting for you to stop backtracking, dodging and flailing and get back on topic. I suspect it could be a long wait.”
by Monsieur Sneer, Paris
Friday, November 27 2009, 8:49AM
“Pedant, yes it should. I will have my dictation serf thrashed soundly. However, please note that they only typed the words 'be found wating' once, unlike your quote suggests ;-)
Tired of Summer, I'd love to engage you in a battle of wits but I don't fight unarmed men.”
by Pedant, Lincoln
Thursday, November 26 2009, 6:41PM
“"Every indication is that she will, quite rightly, be found wating be found wating". Should wating be wanting?”