MPs reject compromise on hunting
MPs have rejected a late bid to win a compromise on fox-hunting, by voting for an outright ban on all forms of hunting with dogs in England and Wales.
The House of Commons voted by 321 to 204, a majority 117, to reject a deal tabled by Huw Irranca-Davies, and backed by the Prime Minister, to allow fox hunting to continue under license.
The Commons had already rejected amendments to the bill by the House of Lords that would have allowed licensed hunting of foxes, stags and hares.
The bill now returns to the Lords, and should peers reject it again, the Government looks likely to use the Parliament Act to force it onto the statue books.
Rural affairs minister Alun Michael said: “It is time to fulfil what is a manifesto commitment to enable Parliament to reach a conclusion on this issue.”
Baroness Mallalieu, president of the Countryside Alliance, forecast peers would reject a total ban. She said she would be “totally astonished” if the House of Lords changed its view at this late stage in proceedings.
The alliance is reported to have written to the attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, saying it will contest the legality of the Parliament Act if it is invoked. It will be outlining its plans for legal challenges to the bill later today.
Anti-hunt MP Tony Banks doubts such a challenge would succeed: “Parliament is the highest court. There is not a superior court. If they want to spend their money, good luck to them – I’m sure they will find a lawyer who will take it.”
