Hunt protestors threaten civil disobedience

Saturday, 20 November 2004 12:00 AM

Hunts supporters are threatening a campaign of civil disobedience in the run up to the expected May 2005 general election, as hunts across England and Wales meet for the first time this weekend since the ban on hunting with hounds was forced through Parliament.

Hunters have already launched a legal challenge to the ban, but are now planning a series of high profile election protests, in an attempt to embarrass Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"War has been declared between us and Blair," said Valerie Allfrey, master of a hunt in Worcestershire, central England.

"We will do what it takes to make our voice heard. And even if it means targeting things like electricity pylons and roads that run through the country, we will target them."

Campaigners are planning to focus their efforts in around 100 rural constituencies, hoping the hunt ban will swing the vote there against candidates in favour of it.

Although the Government was keen to avoid such a clash, political commentators stress that the action is unlikely to derail Labour's plans to secure a third term in office.

Speaking on Friday, Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael dismissed claims the election campaign would be dominated by the hunting issue.

"I don't think it will be a hunting election," said Mr Michael.

"That's not the most important issue for people, in rural or urban areas."

Pro-hunt campaigners are vowing to defy the ban when it comes into force in February, arguing that it threatens thousands of jobs in rural areas and could mean that 25,000 dogs have to be put down.

"They are determined to do that to show the resolution of the rural community and to show how ridiculous this legislation is," a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said.

"Many thousands of people will be going out and ringing the police station and saying 'come on, arrest me'."

On Friday, hunt supporters launched a legal challenge to the ban, protesting over the use of the Parliament Act to pass legislation on Thursday in the face of opposition from the Lords.

Tags: