The first King’s Speech of the new government, delivered to Parliament yesterday, did not include any mention of anti-hunting legislation. Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in Peterborough for the Festival of Hounds for hunting’s summer showcase where the mood was defiant and upbeat.
The absence of hunting from the King’s Speech was not wholly surprising given so many more obvious political priorities, but it does not mean legislation might not still be imminent. The government has, as it always does, reserved the right to bring forward “other measures” than those specifically mentioned in the King’s Speech, meaning an individual MP could bring forward a Private Members' Bill and there could be attempts to amend other legislation to attack hunting. The Alliance will, as ever, be vigilant in opposing any such moves.
The government’s agenda does, however, suggest that we have a period in which hunting can continue to address the perception of trail hunting, which is being used to justify further legislation. Given the government’s manifesto and its majority there is no question that there will be legislation at some point. The question now is how the government intends to define its commitment to “ban trail hunting” in law. The image hunting projects over the coming seasons will have a significant impact on the government’s thinking and how far it believes it has to go.
At the Festival of Hounds our Chairman, Lord Herbert, spoke in the foxhound ring shortly after the King had finished his speech to Parliament. His message was both clear and vital. The defence of hunting requires the Alliance to play its role, but that can only be successful in conjunction with a determined campaign from the hunting world led by the British Hound Sports Association to raise standards, change the perception of trail hunting and ensure that the public, politicians and police are in no doubt that hunts are operating legally.
The bizarre politics of hunting have always meant that hunts are judged to a different standard to nearly any other group. There is more scrutiny and more scepticism of hunts than of any other group which might not be logical or fair, but is a reality. It is therefore not enough to not be guilty, there is now a need for hunts to prove that they are operating legitimately, and this is the challenge we must all take up in the coming season.
Lord Herbert's speech articulates the political situation and the practical realities far better than I can and I would urge you to share it and for those who hold positions within hunts to ensure that officers, staff, subscribers and supporters watch and digest his message.
Whilst there remains one dark cloud on hunting’s horizon there was much to celebrate at Peterborough. Wonderful beagles, bassets, harriers, old English and modern foxhounds were judged in the sunshine as the hunting community came together. The response to Lord Herbert’s speech was a clear display of support and determination and as MFHA Chairman, Andrew Osborne, reiterated later, we will all be returning to the Festival for many, many years to come.
Photo credit: WJ Photo