Glyn Davies MP backs free vote on hunting ban

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has backed a call by the Welsh Conservatives assembly leader for the Commons to hold a free vote on overturning the hunting ban.

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly, has called on his Westminster colleagues to deliver their promise to hold a free vote on overturning the fox hunting ban.

He said he expected the UK government to honour its coalition agreement pledge.

Tory MPs are divided on the issue, despite it being a part of the party's 2010 general election manifesto.

The RSPCA said repealing the ban would be a "backward step".

The South Wales Central AM believes his party should honour its commitment to bring a motion on the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004 before the House of Commons.

Mr Davies said: "I do believe that if politicians make a commitment they should do all in their power to see the commitment through.

"If politicians say something and put it in writing, they should endeavour to deliver on that," he added.

Mr Davies, who runs a farm near Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, said local hunts provided a valuable service in rural Wales by removing the carcasses of lambs and calves, and any further reduction in hunting would hurt businesses in remote areas.

Montgomeryshire MP and Berriew farmer Glyn Davies said that the "Government, wherever possible, should deliver on its promises".

Mr Davies wants to see the repeal of the legislation, but said he can see both sides of the argument.

He said: "I think it is a very poor ban and it makes a mockery of the legal system. I think there is a case for repealing the ban and I support that.

"There is also a case for not repealing. There's a danger if it was repealed all the activists would be back out and it would become a contentious issue in society again."

The RSPCA has said that repealing the ban would be "a backward step for a civilised society".

John Rolls, RSPCA director of policy, said: "Our message has never changed and it never will - hunting is cruel.

"It disturbs me that this could ever have been seen as a sport."