Theresa May scraps manifesto pledge to give MPs free vote on fox hunting ban

Theresa May meets a dog called Blitz as she attends church on Sunday morning.
PA
Francesca Gillett7 January 2018
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Theresa May has dropped her manifesto pledge to give MPs a vote on the fox hunting ban.

The Hunting Act 2004, which was introduced by Labour in 2004, bans the use of dogs to hunt foxes and other wild mammals in England and Wales.

During her campaign in the run up to June’s snap election, the PM had promised to allow a free vote in the Commons on repealing the law.

Announcing she had dropped plans for the vote on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday Morning, Mrs May said her “personal view” had not changed but she had received a "clear message" on the issue and said there will not be a vote during this parliament.

The Avon Vale Hunt gets underway in Lacock, England, on Boxing Day 2017.
Rufus Cox

Mrs May said: "As prime minister, my job isn't just about what I think about something, it's actually about looking at what the view of the country is.

"I think there was a clear message about that and that's why I say there won't be a vote on fox hunting during this parliament."

Anti-fox hunting protesters march through the streets of London on May 29, 2017.
AFP/Getty Images

Michael Gove has prioritised animal welfare issues since Mrs May appointed him Environment Secretary after the June election.

The move means any vote on the issue is banned until at least 2022.

It comes as Theresa May prepares to reshuffle her Cabinet on Monday with around half a dozen ministers expected to change jobs. Junior minister roles to be dealt out on Tuesday.

According to reports on Sunday, Mrs May’s top four secretaries Philip Hammond, Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd and David Davis are thought to be safe from the axe.

It follows three departures from the Cabinet in the last two months. Damian Green resigned as first secretary state last month after he admitted lying about the alleged discovery of pornography on his Commons office computer, following departures from Sir Michael Fallon and former international development minister Priti Patel.

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