Hunters scream bias as poll reveals most support ban
Even people who consider themselves Conservative voters do not want to see the ban on hunting repealed, a controversial poll to be released tomorrow will say.
The Western Daily Press can reveal a new MORI poll shows a majority of Tory supporters want to retain the Hunting Act, despite the party itself pledging a repeal as soon as it gains office.
But the poll itself has sparked fury among hunt supporters amid claims the question asked a sample of more than 2,000 voters by the respected polling organisation MORI was biased against hunting. It is understood the Countryside Alliance is to complain about the way MORI conducted the poll, eight months after having a similar complaint against the polling organisation upheld.
The results of the poll revealed 59 per cent of people who consider themselves Tory voters wanted to see the ban on hunting kept, and only 30 per cent wanted to repeal it.
Among voters of all parties, 75 per cent supported the ban, while MORI said there had been a marked decrease in support for repealing the ban – down from 22 per cent to just 16 per cent.
And of voters in a rural area, 71 per cent supported the ban on hunting, according to the poll, conducted last week.
The question on hunting was asked on behalf of the two main opponents of hunting – the League Against Cruel Sports and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) – among a raft of questions on a range of other issues.
Those answering the poll were asked: 'Now a question about sports where animals are set on other animals to fight or kill them. These activities are currently illegal in the UK: for each one I read out, please say whether you think they should or should not be made legal again – yes for made legal, no for should not be made legal: dog fighting, badger baiting, fox hunting, deer hunting, hare hunting and hare coursing."
Pro-hunters claimed that question was "clearly biased" against their sport, and they would complain to the polling watchdog.
Tim Bonner, of the Countryside Alliance, said: "It is no wonder the poll came up with results like this when you finally see what people were actually asked. If you'd put hunting at the end of a list of daisy-picking and scrumping apples, which people don't want banned, you would have got the exact opposite result. This poll is worthless and should not be taken seriously."
But Douglas Batchelor, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "David Cameron is an astute politician and will see that the overwhelming majority of voters do not want a return to the past.
"The balance of opinion is clear among voters across the political spectrum. He must make it clear to the dinosaur element within his party that the will of the public cannot be ignored."
Robbie Marsland, IFAW director, said: "This poll shows that Cameron is completely out of step with public opinion including the majority of his own would-be supporters. Cameron would be wise to listen to the views of the compassionate majority of British people and to rethink his pledge to bring back the cruelty of hunting."
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by giles bradshaw, rose ash
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 9:54AM
“"Lying pro-hunt scum."
What sort of person makes such offensive comments?”
by giles bradshaw, Rose Ash
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 9:43AM
“" It really is time to stop harassing our democracy. "
What sort of statement is that to make? Gary Hills simply does not understand what democracy or politics are.
The Hunting Act is an utterly preposterous law and it is right that MPs are constantly harrassed over it.
I've continued flushing and chasing deer with my dogs for the past three years and I have always kept the relevant MPs and my chief constable informed that I am openly flouting their absurd law.
The police are fully aware the law is ridiculous. They won;t prosecute me for a simple reason. If I shot the deer I flush out and chase then I would be obeying the law. As I don't shoot them I am breaking it.
All I had to do is write to the police, tell them the MPs that voted this through are ignorant incompetent fools and remind them that if they give me any trouble whatsoever then I might just obey their vacuous legislation and shoot the deer and they leave me well alone and free to carry on chasing them.
A law that cannot be enforced for fear of it being obeyed is totally absurd.
I'll be out with my dogschasing deer this weekend. I am engaged in fun, welfare friendly wildlife management and will not stop for a bunch of fools in Westimster.”
by Charles Henry, Somerset
Friday, October 03 2008, 7:53AM
“Jill Wells clearly demonstrates how this minority group of misanthropic protesters have been brainwashed by the most class-ridden gang of agitators, since the Class War scum of the early Eighties first surfaced. . Their ignorance of real country life and real country living is breathtaking. . As sheep farming declined on the lowland farms and also the smaller mixed family farms, hunting became a much less important part of agricultural life and although it still had many followers, fewer people actually participated and for those that did, it was mainly just ride out with the hounds. . .Those without an active local hunt just resorted to the shotgun when the need arose. . But now as was demonstrated by the Countryside March and the growth of the Countryside Alliance, hunting is here to stay. . If the Hunting act is repealed and replaced with other safeguards ensuring there are no abuses, that will be good for the fox. . But let no one be in any doubt; if things stay as they are, when a rural fox becomes a problem, it will be dealt with. . If Gill wishes to be a vegan or live on pasta that is her prerogative. . The vast majority will continue to enjoy steak and chips.”
by Jill Wells, East Suffolk
Thursday, October 02 2008, 10:52PM
“The simple fact about fox hunting is that it is a sport, which hides behind the need to control the number of foxes, apparently decimating chickens and lambs. All animals which are exploited for human gain, and playing on the loss of jobs in the rural community is dishonest. Perhaps it is time to retrain, and rethink. Keeping farm animals is a precious waste of scarce resources which could be put to better use by growing food to eat. We were told that hounds would have to be slaughtered when the fox hunting ban came into force. This from the hunting fraternity who purport to care for their animals; surely it is more honest to admit that all are used purely as a traditional countryside pastime for the landed gentry with tenants being paid to take part. There is no excuse for fox hunting and no excuse for keeping so many livestock. It is a luxury we can no longer afford. As a vegetarian, I manage to eat well and stay healthy. It simply disgusts me that we abuse our position as guardians of the land to justify our own greed and desire for cruel sport.”
by thomas jenner, South Gloucestershire
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 8:56PM
“Well done Judi, I always enjoy the high quality of debate that the anti hunt lobby bring to the table.”