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"ACTION PLEASE"
- By all who support Hunting directly.
- By all who genuinely care for the fox population.
- BY all who support our Rural Culture as set out in the RURAL AGENDA . Hunting is an essential part of this culture; so supporters of it please join the campaign to Repeal a Hunting Ban.
The March has shown that the "rural vote" can be a significant factor. We defeated many "anti-rural" candidates in the May 2003 and 2004 local elections and we can do it again in the General Election. At least 100 constituencies are in rural or semi-rural locations. The results in these constituencies could be significantly affected by coordinated and intelligent activity as well as increased turnout.
The "Banks Bill" is unjust. It is a travesty of British concepts of freedom and fairness. It was forced through the House of Commons by the prejudiced and intolerant attitude of the fanatics against hunting. They proved that they have no understanding of "true democracy" by riding roughshod over the legitimate interests of a minority without any attempt to reach a compromise. Their action was reminiscent of a dictatorship in that they wished to ban an activity that does not significantly affect the well-being of the majority. The Government's own inquiry did not support their assumption that it inflicts unnecessary suffering. In logic therefore, their reason to ban Hunting can only be dislike of it and/or the people that hunt. As Banks himself says the Hunting Ban is "totemic" ( i.e. something that represents a set of beliefs ). In this case the beliefs are the foundations of Socialism. The most relevant here is that privelege of any sort is wrong unless earned by the priveleged person. By his choice of "totemic", Banks has revealed the true motive behind his Bill. His driving force is his erroneous assumption that Hunting is the sport of those who are priveleged without having earning it themselves. GO TO ANY HUNT AND SEE HOW WRONG HE IS.
IF WE ARE WE ARE TO GET THIS BAN REPEALED WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO RELY ON MASSIVE PRESSURE ( representations and protests at every opportunity for confrontation---- BUT ALWAYS RESPECTING JUST LAWS e.g those against riot and trespass ). EVERYBODY WHO ABHORS GROSS ABUSES OF THE POWER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TO TREAT WITH CONTEMPT THE LIBERTY AND LIVELIHOOD OF A SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL MINORITY OF THE POPULATION OF OUR NATION SHOULD STAND WITH THE COUNTRYSIDE. IN PARTICULAR OTHER CULTURAL MINORITIES-----EACH GROUP OF NON-CHRISTIANS, IMMIGRANTS, HOMOSEXUALS, LESBIANS etc. WHO KNOWS WHICH OF OUR CULTURAL MINORITIES THE BIGOTS IN THE MAJORITIES WILL NEXT TRY AND FORCE TO THEIR VALUES? WHERE NOW THE OFT-PROCLAIMED CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF THE UK? WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO CULTURAL TOLERANCE?
THE AIMS OF ALL FAIR MINDED PEOPLE SHOULD BE :
A. TO SUPPORT ALL ACTIONS TO GET THE BILL DEEMED UNLAWFUL;
- Special Report on the Human Rights Act incompatibility. Thanks to the Support Foxhunting Site http://www.supportfoxhunting.co.uk Because it contravenes the folowing Articles of the Human Rights Act :
Article 8: the right to respect for private and family life. We argue that this right includes the right to develop relationships with others, it protects the social and community lifestyle and business interests of individuals and it safeguards cultural diversity. We argue that the ban on hunting restricts all of these aspects of life.
Article 11: freedom of assembly and association. The Hunting Act does not prevent individuals from assembling (i.e. meeting together in the countryside) and forming associations (hunts). However, we argue that freedom of assembly and association is restricted because the Hunting Act bans the purpose for which individuals meet and form hunts.
Article 1 of Protocol 1: protection of property. We argue that the Hunting Act deprives individuals of property or controls their use of property in a variety of different ways. We have grouped these matters under three headings:
- (1) land – restricting a landowner's right to hunt/course on his own land and permit others to do so, loss of value, and various costs associated with changing land from hunting/coursing use to other uses;
- (2) livelihoods - loss of rights for employees and employers under employment contracts and loss of goodwill built up in businesses associated with hunting;
- (3) other property – dogs, horses, vehicles and other equipment will become redundant.
Article 14: prohibition of discrimination. We argue that, in relation to all the matters set out above, the Hunting Act discriminates against hunting people in comparison to other relevant groups, in particular people who wish to control wild mammals by other methods.
Article 6: right to a fair trial. We argue that the Act is founded on the false presumption that hunting is cruel and thus does not allow a defendant to show that his actions were not cruel as a defence to prosecution.
Article 7: no punishment without law. We argue that because it is unclear what constitutes unlawful hunting there is no certainty as to the law.
It is further argued that the restrictions imposed by the Hunting Act cannot be justified. It is argued that no legitimate aim has been clearly identified by the proponents of a ban. If the aim is to prevent unnecessary suffering, it is argued that there is no evidence that hunting and coursing cause ‘unnecessary suffering’ and indeed the ban may result in more suffering. If the aim is to protect morals (because hunting and coursing are considered immoral by Parliament) it is argued that this is not legitimate without evidence of ‘unnecessary suffering’. Lastly, it is argued that even if the Hunting Act has a legitimate aim, it is not a necessary or proportionate measure for achieving that aim.
- Because the passing of the second Parliament Act did not fully comply with the procedures required by the first Parliament Act.
- Because use of the Parliament Acts is constitutionally inappropriate in view of the circumstances surrounding and leading to the Bill.
It should be noted that this part of the Campaign will require the hiring of the most powerful Legal Forces available. It will be very expensive.
B. WHEN THE BAN IS REVERSED OR THE DRACONIAN LICENCING SCHEME IS AMENDED, STRIVE TO PUT THE ISSUE "TO BED" in an unprejudiced way
- Ideally by a method acceptable to most on both sides. Foxman believes that this should be possible through REGULATION BY DEFRA . This seems practicable within their existing powers and within the present version of the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 . It could be regulated that use of any deliberate means (e.g. a dog, a gun, a ferret) to kill a Wild Mammal while hunting without a licence would be an offence under The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. It would be deemed that without a licence, requiring adherence to a Code of Conduct, there could be no reasonable assurance that the wild animal had been killed in "in a reasonably swift and humane manner". Please see Exceptions from offence under the Act para 2(b).
- Alternatively to strive for A SIMPLE AMENDMENT TO the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 or a logical LOGICAL BILL BASED ON FACT.
THE METHODS OF ALL WHO BELIEVE IN TRADITIONAL BRITISH CONCEPTS OF FREEDOM AND FAIRNESS SHOULD BE TO:
- Donate all that you can to The Countryside Alliance, which is leading the campaign ( Donation Form ). Foxman asks all those who have hunted to donate at least as much as they can no longer spend directly upon Hunting. Of course such donations must not cut into funding the survival of as much of the infrastructure of Hunting as can be preserved for the day when the ban is reversed.
- IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER OF A POLITICAL PARTY, JOIN ONE NOW. PLEASE CHOOSE ONE THAT CONTAINS MANY MPs OPPOSED TO THE ABOLITION OF HUNTING.
You can join for a few tens of pounds on line by clicking on: Conservatives (who have said that they will repeal the ban) OR Liberal Democrats if a Conservative has no chance.
If you are a member of a political party or trade union that contains or sponsors several MPs, who support the abolition of hunting, please resign now. (Do you really want to support a poltical party or trade union that wants to ban hunting and force people out of work for dislike of a culture? What might they ban next---shooting, fishing?)
In order to make your effort fully effective IT IS VITAL TO WRITE to Mr BLAIR or email him via his website , your MP (of any Party) and your LOCAL CONSTITUENCY ORGANISATION and ,where applicable, the General Secretary of your Trade Union; telling them what you have done and why you have done it.
- Some activists have set up an organisation to promote this approach to saving Hunting. Please keep in touch with their website. Working Hound News
- THE COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE IS ORGANISING THE CONTINUING CAMPAIGN. PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THEM VIA THEIR WEBSITE "www.countryside-alliance.org" . Please fill in this form to join the "alliance".
- Support all other organisations that have pledged to seek the reversal of the unjust laws and petty fogging regulations which act against Hunting or other aspects of the freedoms and livelihoods associated with the Countryside in particular and, more generally, with any part of our nation.
- Vote in your 2005 General and local election and ask your friends to vote. VOTE AGAINST CANDIDATES (for Parliament or Local Government) THAT SUPPORT THE UNJUST LAW AGAINST HUNTING PERSONALLY OR WHO SUPPORT A POLITICAL PARTY WHOSE LEADER SUPPORTS IT OR IS TOO WEAK TO STAND UP TO THE ANTI-HUNTING FANATICS.
- Support the large number of Hunting People who are signing a "Declaration" that they will continue to Hunt after a ban. Download the declaration here sign it, and send it in. Some 40000 have signed pledging resistance to the proposed unjust law. This massive number of "declarers" will give the Government more of an incentive to find a "third way" to bring the "Hunting Issue" to a conclusion. It will also reinforce The Police in their resistance to a bill where enforcement would require more resources than they could spare sensibly from much greater threats to "good order".
- Attend as many "Campaign gatherings" as you can.
- Write to your local paper with some positive news about Hunting's wide "Utility" (e.g. hedge laying, restoring woodland habitats, contributing to local fund raising for schools etc.). You cannot leave it to others as they won't do it either. Politicians read local papers and take note what they say, as they are not usually owned by owned by one Political party or another. They do however reflect the mood of the people and our opponents are exploiting this .
- Monitor broadcasts, newspaper articles and letters and respond when they get it wrong.
- Continue to attend as many demonstrations in your area as you can
- Write letters to the Prime Minister: Mr Blair should be reminded that the March was not a one-off day trip for country people, but an expression of their unbreakable determination not to be subjected to ill-founded and discriminatory legislation. Please write now to tell him your views: The Rt Hon. Mr Tony Blair, MP, House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
- Write to your MP by name at The House of Commons.
- Write to all the councillors and candidates of all parties that are now representing or standing in your Ward. To find their names and addresses go to your District/Unitary Council's website, such as www.yourdistrict.gov.uk. All politicians must be made to realise that attacking hunting is bad politics (i.e. loses more votes than it gains.) It is noteworthy that there was a pronounced "swing" against anti-hunting local politicians in non-metropolitan districts. Political messages do rise from local government political organisations to national HQs.
- Get involved in your local community through your village,
parish, district or county council. Please do not leave it to others. Do not assume things will turn out for the best, they will not!
- Call on your councillors, MPs, MEPs. Visit their surgeries, invite
them to your farm, fishing club, hunt kennels, shoot, food,
or other rural enterprise. Do not forget candidates for imminent elections.
- Write to:The Leader of The House of Commons and All Ministers making your case against the Hunting Ban.
- Get, say, 10 of your friends to write similar letters or start a petition to your MP, collect them yourself by a deadline, stamp them yourself and post them progressively.
- HELP YOUR GRASS ROUTES CONSTITUENCY COORDINATOR (eMail this link with your post code to get his/her name and telephone number).
- VOTE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL ELECTIONs.
IT IS VITAL TO ENSURE THAT ANTI-COUNTRYSIDE LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLITICIANS ARE THROWN OUT OR HAVE THEIR MAJORITIES DRASTICALLY REDUCED. WE MUST MAKE IT CLEAR THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX THAT BEING ANTI-COUNTRYSIDE IS BAD POLITICS.
- IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY JOINED THE COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE AND THE GRASS ROUTE, PLEASE FILL IN THIS FORM
- Support your local Fox hunt. Join your local Hunt's Supporters Club, go to meets, attend fund raising events etc. (find your Supporters Club by looking at these maps to find the name of your local Hunt. Look in your telephone directory to find the telephone number. Leave a message on their answerphone including a request to be telephoned with the address/number of the Secretary of the Supporter's Club.)
- Volunteer to help actively Contact the Countryside Alliance Tel: 0171 582 5432 Email: info@countryside-alliance.org and volunteer to:-
- Join a telephone tree
- Attend an MP's Surgery
- Debate on Radio/TV
- Help to spread the message in schools
- Help on a stand at a local Show etc.
- Put up a poster
- Take part in a leaflet campaign
- If a Labour Supporter, join Leave Country Sports Alone(LCSA)
- Join your County Wildlife Trust Volunteer to help with a Bio-Diversity Action Plan.
- Join the RSPCA. Telephone: 01403 264181 to ask for a joining form. Do not be put off by the fact that it is putting its considerable "weight" behind various animals rights "band-wagons" at present: for instance, attempts to ban zoos, circuses, Field Sports etc. A growing body of opinion within the Society is having some success in taking it back to its original policy of concentrating all its resources on Animal Welfare. That is to stop it diverting any of its money into essentially political matters, such as a ban on Fox Hunting or any other Field Sport. Please join the growing Countryside Animal Welfare Group within the RSPCA.
- If you are not already a member, join the National Trust
- Join the Friends Of the National Trust (FONT). Print out this form , fill it in and post or FAX it to FONT. The Executive of the National Trust has become dominated by members opposed to Hunting. They have led the "rank and file" to vote to ban Deer Hunting on its land in Exmoor. This has been done in direct contravention of the wishes of some of the people who gave their land to the Trust and of many tenants and their neighbours. A charity (such as the Trust) is responsible for the proper stewardship of its property. In the case of land this implies taking account of long term as well as immediate effects. FONT is a growing body of active members of the Trust who are having some success in gaining acceptance that in imposing this ban the Trust has acted beyond the limits of proper stewardship. Their aim is to reverse this quasi-political ban, which has not been shown to be capable of benefiting the Trust's property in the long term. FONT also aims to ensure that the wishes of donors to the Trust, and of its tenants and neighbours are respected. FONT also intends to be in a position to forestall any further acts of improper stewardship.
- Persuade others to join your local Hunt Supporters Club
- Persuade others to join the organisations listed above
- Persuade others to volunteer to help actively
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