Naturally Unnatural Issue #5 13th May 2017 | Page 3

Issue #2, 22 nd April
Theresa May
announces
that she
would lift the
ban on the
archaic
blood-sport,
fox hunting
By Matthew Clifton
Theresa May continues to live in an
era that is long forgotten. Her environ-
mental policies are lacking and com-
mitment to helping to reduce and stop
ivory poaching around the world is de-
batable. Climate change is also a glob-
al challenge and yet a commitment to
fracking and chronic underinvestment
of the renewable sector highlights her
regressive ambitions. A Conservative
controlled government has seen a de-
cline in wages, rise in food banks, sui-
cide and child poverty.
was given and refused to let the press
hold the microphone. It was at this event
that she said, "I've always been in favour
of hunting and we maintain our commit-
ment — we've had a commitment previ-
ously — to allow a free vote”.
In the 2015 general election, David Cam-
eron also promised a vote on repealing
the ban on fox hunting but backed away
from the idea because of the small major-
Yet Theresa May has announced that she
ity he had in parliament. With several
would like to see the ban on fox hunting
more central and liberal Conservatives
lifted, 13 years after Tony Blair’s Labour
stating that they wouldn’t back the re-
government banned it. Further underlin-
pealing of the ban. The legislation in
ing Theresa May’s lack of compassion
question is the 2004 Hunting Act that
and understanding of issues facing socie-
came into effect a year later in 2005,
ty within the UK and globally.
which bans the hunting of various wild
Campaign event in Leeds mammals including hares, deer and foxes
with dogs.
Theresa May was speaking in a campaign
Leaked email
visit to Leeds, where the hall was full of
Conservative councillors, candidates and
The Mirror reported that an email had
activists. She also barred any press from
been leaked to the them from fox hunt
asking a question unless advanced notice
masters. The email in question urges to
3
‘mobilise supporters’. Conservative
peer, Lord Mancroft, told supporters that
this was a ‘seminal moment’ and that a
majority of 50 MPs in the house of com-
mons would secure the repealing of the
legislation that bans fox hunting. He
wrote “this is the chance we’ve been
waiting for”.
The email explicitly said “A majority of 50
or more would give us a real opportunity
for repeal of the Hunting Act. This is by
far the best opportunity we have had
since the ban, and is probably the best
we are likely to get in the foreseeable
future.”
Lifelong animal rights campaigner and
Labour candidate, Angela Smith said
“This is exactly why we must not give the
Tories a blank cheque. If Theresa May
wins a big majority on June 8 we will see
all the worst excesses of an unrestrained
Tory Government. Bringing back fox-
hunting, one of the cruellest blood sports
imaginable, will be just the start.”