LABOUR’S parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Mike Le-Surf has pledged to continue to support the ban on fox hunting with dogs.
Mr Le-Surf said:
"It was one of the most popular Labour policies back in 2005. The ban on fox hunting with dogs has now been in place for ten years and I am delighted to support the Act that has saved many animals from a cruel and barbaric death.
"With the Conservatives itching to overturn the bill throughout this parliament and the current Tory MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock saying that he would vote to repeal the Act, we need a Labour government on May 7th to make sure that the ban stays in place.
"There’s no doubt that with a free hand, David Cameron would have voted to bring back hunting. He didn’t think he could win so I’m sure his message to the hunting lobby going into the general election will most likely be a plea to the diehard hunters – many of them Tories disillusioned with his leadership – that he, and only he can bring back the ‘sport’ that they love.
"I have no doubt either that David Cameron will be letting the Countryside Alliance and his favourite hunt in Chipping Norton, the Heythrop, know that only by voting for him do they stand any chance of getting their beloved hunting back.
But you probably won’t see it in the Conservative manifesto. This is "under the radar" politics.
Labour do not want this form of hunting back so in the remaining few months before the general election, let me be clear. I support the hunting ban. I’ll defend the hunting ban. And only a Labour government can guarantee that the ban is here to stay."
