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Stroud MP Neil Carmichael pledges to vote for fox hunt repeal

10:30am Wednesday 26th May 2010 in News Photograph of the Author By Crispin Northey, Reporter for Nailsworth, Minchinhampton and Painswick

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael pledges to vote for fox hunt repeal Stroud MP Neil Carmichael pledges to vote for fox hunt repeal

NEWLY elected Tory MP for Stroud Neil Carmichael has pledged to vote for a repeal of the fox hunting ban if the issue comes up again in Parliament.

The controversy around fox hunting led to the passing of the Hunting Act 2004 in November of that year after a free vote in the House of Commons which made hunting with dogs unlawful.

MPs voted in favour by 339 votes to 155.

Speaking to the SNJ this week, Mr Carmichael said: “I expect I will vote for the repeal of the fox hunting ban but it is not a top priority. I believe that it is the people’s right to do what they want to do within the law.

“I do not hunt myself but I know people who look after hounds and they are treated very well. There is no evidence that any hounds are treated badly. I do not like any kind of cruelty to animals.

“While I think that it is an issue that people have a right to make their voices heard on I think that we need to concentrate on the state of local school, hospitals, roads and the environment. I have hundreds of letters and emails that get sent to me and a minimal amount concern fox hunting.”

In January animal activists heckled David Cameron when he came to Stroud.

They were protesting against the Conservative manifesto promise to offer a free vote for the repeal of the ban.

Mr Cameron had visited Stroud to discuss Conservative plans for NHS reform in the run-up to the election.

Comments(16)

MHayworth says...
2:11pm Wed 26 May 10

As a conservative who didn't vote for David Cameron over this issue, I find Mr. Carmichael's comments appalling. It is clear to me now why the Tories will never again win a majority government in this country.

He says: ' I do not like any kind of cruelty to animals' and then mentions only the welfare of the hounds! No mention of the animal being chased to exhaustion, hunted down and torn apart by a pack of hounds. No mention of the animal being dug out with shovels while being bitten by terriers if it goes to ground. No mention of 'cubbing' or any of the horrific practices carried out fox cubs during the training of the young hounds. No mention of the fact that the hunts create artificial earths all over this country in order to breed the animals they pretend to be controlling.

Mr. Carmichael is clearly only capable of recognising cruelty and animal suffering when it is the 'animal' of his choice. Supporting gangs that pit animal against animal for their amusement is not the measure of a decent human being. We expect more from our MPs.

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MHayworth says...
2:45pm Wed 26 May 10

If anyone would like to help us fight against a repeal of the hunting act, please sign our register at: www.campaignfordecen
cy.org.uk

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JulianCBrown says...
2:50pm Wed 26 May 10

Neil Carmichael represents the old "nasty" Tory party. How on earth can a supposedly civilised human being want to restore a barbaric practice whereby wild animals are ripped apart whilst they are still alive by a large pack of dogs? I do not think that Mr. Carmichael will last long as MP for Stroud. He has completely misread the views and morality of this electorate!

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TP2010 says...
4:44pm Wed 26 May 10

The United Kingdom's current ban on cruel field "sports" reflects a high standard of animal welfare legislation that must be maintained. The savaging and killing of defenceless animals for the entertainment of a minority group has no place in a civilised society. Hunting of foxes should never return. If it does then those who bring it back should hang their heads in shame!

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NoToHareCoursing says...
4:53pm Wed 26 May 10

"I do not like any kind of cruelty to animals."

Mr Carmichael seems to have said this in the context of cruelty to hounds. Has he considered the plight of the foxes? I write as a farmer and as a countryman born and bred. My belief is that the newly-elected MP for Stroud would command more respect from the likes of me if he declines to vote against the restoration of the cruel so-called 'sports' of fox hunting, hare coursing, stag hunting, etc., all of which involve chasing an animal to exhaustion and a dreadful death - for 'fun.' Shame on those who want to bring these barbaric practices back.

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JK09 says...
5:26pm Wed 26 May 10

I would suggest Mr Carmichael needs to learn a little more about this subject before deciding which way to vote.
This law does not just relate to foxes but if the attempt to repeal it was successful we would also see the return of stag hunting and hare coursing, both every bit as cruel and barbaric as fox hunting.
How anyone can claim to dislike animal cruelty yet have no problem seeing one chased across the countryside then torn to pieces by specially trained hounds is a complete mystery to me.
Instead of just listening to one side of the arguement I would urge Mr Carmichael to look at this from the other side. It should then become apparent just how cruel and violent this repulsive blood sport really is and why it must never be allowed to return to our country.

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Sidney V says...
6:08pm Wed 26 May 10

'I do not hunt myself but I know people who look after hounds and they are treated very well.'

Mr Carmichael, instead of basing your decision on the views of your blood thirsty friends why don't you actually do some research into the subject. If you're as against animal cruelty as you claim to be you would not vote for the repeal.

I am ashamed that fools like you claim to represent 'the people' when in fact all you represent are the views of the people around your dinner party table.

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babz says...
6:12pm Wed 26 May 10

Mr Carmichael damns himself with his own words, he says he does not like any kind of cruelty to animals but says he is prepared to vote for a repeal of the ban on tearing terrified and exhausted animals to death with a pack of specially trained dogs. Is this sort of double speak how he intends to carry out his duties as an MP? Of course it is people's right to do as they want, within reason, but people should not be allowed to torture our wild animals for pleasure and more than they would be allowed to torture children for pleasure, this isn't about human rights it's about basic decency. Yes schools, hospitals, roads and environment are very important so why waste time and effort on even debating a repeal of a ban that the majority of the public is in favour of? The ban is in place, it's a done deal so what possible reason is there to even consider revisiting it?

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NatureWatcher says...
1:55pm Thu 27 May 10

Mr Carmichael should do his homework. If he hates "any kind of cruelty to animals" then I would suggest that as well as discussing it with his friends who own hounds, he looks online and visits a few wildlife centres that look after injured and sick animals too. Maybe then he can get a "balanced" view before deciding to vote FOR cruelty to animals, which is what he would ultimately be doing if he votes for a repeal.

Oh, and it might help if you canvassed your local constituency too, Mr Carmichael, to gauge THEIR feelings on hunting. After all, it was these people that put you where you are today, not your friends!

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nath camm says...
7:26pm Thu 27 May 10

“I do not hunt myself but I know people who look after hounds and they are treated very well. There is no evidence that any hounds are treated badly. I do not like any kind of cruelty to animals.
You are a total joke Carmichael what kind of comment is that ? is a fox not an animal then ? I and 1000`s like me will fight you all the way on this ........

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Nigel T Perrett says...
7:52pm Thu 27 May 10

I am absolutely disgusted by this so called educated man , what a foolish thing to say . there is no mention of the fox which is torn apart alive by the ' well treated ' hounds !! As my companion Nath Camm said we will fight you all the way on this you are not wanted as our representative !!!

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nebhunting says...
8:21pm Thu 27 May 10

It requires repealling, it is a bad law and anyone that has said that they did not vote Conservative because of this must have a problem with their priorities

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NatureWatcher says...
9:38pm Thu 27 May 10

nebhunting, please feel free to tell us why you think the Hunting Act is a "bad law".

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isthisnametaken says...
1:41am Fri 28 May 10

Neil you claim not to like cruelty to animals. Well then, how can you justify Masters of the Hounds routinely feeding live cubs to the new intake of hound pups to help them acquire a palate? Or the vile practise of cubbing where cubs are used as live bait? How can you justify illicit hunt practises such as 'bagging'. For those unfamiliar with the term, a fox is flushed or dug from it's earth by terriermen, thrown into a sack and taken to join the hunt. Prior to releasing the fox into a covert for the pack to find, it's paws pads are slashed with a Stanley blade or pocket knife. The blood provides a stronger scent, the lameness - the hounds an advantage. Other popular practises include 'hamstringing' foxes, dousing them in their own urine or breaking their lower jaw prior to releasing them to the pack. Do you honestly believe that this is kind?

For the record, cruelty to hounds is rife. The RSPCA stated at the Burns Inquiry that they have never been asked to rehome a hound. Former huntsman Clifford Pellow stated at Burns that hounds are routinely shot in the head as soon as they pass their best running days. Usually around the time the turn 5 or 6. Half of their natural life expectancy. Hound pups who fail to demonstrate blood **** during cubbing are destroyed also. They are shot in the head and their bodies thrown into incinerators. The Countryside Alliance estimated to Burns that 3,000 hounds meet this fate annually. The League Against Cruel Sports puts this figure much higher. Around 6-8,000 per annum.

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MrsStroud says...
12:50pm Fri 28 May 10

I think it would be refreshing to hear that Mr Carmicheal intends to concentrate on important things - fox hunting is not important (you've eaten meat, right?), and it's gone. Get over it.

There are not enough jobs in Stroud for the people who are educated here, we have a drug problem which leads to voilent crime, a parking and traffic problem which means the shop owners are depressed and the 'conservative voters' in the rich villages don't bother to come to our town to shop.

I suggest our new MP starts with contacting the 'people' who own and mantain the catalyst to Stroud's problems; 'Merrywalks'. Asking these people to make the stairs to the Car Park safe would be a start.

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JaneRead says...
3:05pm Thu 3 Jun 10

What a prat "I know people who look after hounds and they are treated very well" That IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE Mr Carmichael, and being our MP you should know this. It's about the FOX, he is NOT TREATED WELL. Ripped apart alive by dogs that are treated well. Bring back David Drew he knows the issues.

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