Wednesday, June 30, 2004
MESSAGE FROM SIMON HART
As predicted speculation about the return of a Hunting Bill continues unabated. Some newspapers took comments from the Leader of the House, Peter Hain, in a recent Business Statement as an opportunity to predict (again) the demise of hunting. The Times however, in an authoritative editorial, reminded the Government that: "The pursuit (of hunting) would be time-consuming, energy-sapping and divisive at a time when ministers should have bigger game to hunt". It concluded: "Liberties should not be curtailed without the strongest and clearest arguments for their suppression. One need not be a supporter of hunting to oppose a ban, just as one need not smoke, or even approve of the habit, to be prepared to defend others' right to do so. Even those unfamiliar with the scent of a fox (or a cigarette) can smell this political rat".
The Times' editorial will serve to remind the Government of the scorn and ridicule it would attract from newspapers of all political persuasions (not to mention the wider public) if it were to press ahead with banning legislation. One of the most important results of our reasonable and logical campaign against unjust hunting legislation has been the willingness of the liberal press to recognise that there is no case for a ban. In many cases they have done so, despite a stated dislike for hunting itself, because they have been exposed to all the facts and arguments and have concluded that banning hunting would be an indefensible curtailment of rights and freedoms on the basis not of evidence, but of prejudice.
Despite Peter Hain's comments there has been no clear suggestion about the timing of the return of a Hunting Bill, what form a Bill might take or whether any Bill will be forthcoming in this session. In fact the Prime Ministers Spokesman, in a Downing Street lobby briefing, made it quite clear that the issue is far from the centre of Number 10's radar. She said that she "hadn't seen" Hain's comments, that she "wasn't aware of the timescale" at this stage, and that if a date had been determined, no doubt the Leader of the House "would have announced it". Hardly a suggestion that banning legislation is imminent, but that was not going to stop journalists re-writing their weary 'hunting ban' story.
What is clear is that we must continue to restate our case consistently and convincingly through the summer, into the autumn and right up to the end of this Parliamentary session. Our opponents are putting all the pressure they can on the Government and will not stop for a moment. We must keep up our campaign at every level: in Westminster and the media of course, but also by taking our message to ordinary people through Hunting and the Community activities.
For seven years we have rallied, marched, lobbied and demonstrated. We have defied every prediction that a hunting ban is inevitable, and there have been plenty of those. As we reach what may well prove to be the final furlong it is crucial that our effort does not fade. The race is still there to be won and lost but you only have to be in front on the line.
Simon Hart
The Times' editorial will serve to remind the Government of the scorn and ridicule it would attract from newspapers of all political persuasions (not to mention the wider public) if it were to press ahead with banning legislation. One of the most important results of our reasonable and logical campaign against unjust hunting legislation has been the willingness of the liberal press to recognise that there is no case for a ban. In many cases they have done so, despite a stated dislike for hunting itself, because they have been exposed to all the facts and arguments and have concluded that banning hunting would be an indefensible curtailment of rights and freedoms on the basis not of evidence, but of prejudice.
Despite Peter Hain's comments there has been no clear suggestion about the timing of the return of a Hunting Bill, what form a Bill might take or whether any Bill will be forthcoming in this session. In fact the Prime Ministers Spokesman, in a Downing Street lobby briefing, made it quite clear that the issue is far from the centre of Number 10's radar. She said that she "hadn't seen" Hain's comments, that she "wasn't aware of the timescale" at this stage, and that if a date had been determined, no doubt the Leader of the House "would have announced it". Hardly a suggestion that banning legislation is imminent, but that was not going to stop journalists re-writing their weary 'hunting ban' story.
What is clear is that we must continue to restate our case consistently and convincingly through the summer, into the autumn and right up to the end of this Parliamentary session. Our opponents are putting all the pressure they can on the Government and will not stop for a moment. We must keep up our campaign at every level: in Westminster and the media of course, but also by taking our message to ordinary people through Hunting and the Community activities.
For seven years we have rallied, marched, lobbied and demonstrated. We have defied every prediction that a hunting ban is inevitable, and there have been plenty of those. As we reach what may well prove to be the final furlong it is crucial that our effort does not fade. The race is still there to be won and lost but you only have to be in front on the line.
Simon Hart
