Foxhunting belongs to the dark ages of animal cruelty

Overturning the ban on foxhunting would be a mistake, argues Bill Oddie of the League Against Crule Sports, since 84% of people in England and Wales want it to stay. Above, hounds during a hunt in 2001. Photograph: Dan Chung for the Guardian

I’m writing in response to John Crace’s sketch (Supreme Leader takes refuge in a safe space online, 16 May), which refers to the prime minister’s pledge to hold a free vote on overturning the ban on foxhunting.

This would be a mistake – 84% of people in England and Wales want foxhunting to remain illegal. That’s the kind of public support most politicians only dream of.

Rather than pandering to a vocal minority who want to return Britain to the dark ages of animal cruelty “for fun”, we call on all politicians not only to reject any repeal, weakening or substitution of the Hunting Act 2004 but also to support its strengthening and its better enforcement.
Bill Oddie
President, League Against Cruel Sports

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