Fox-hunting fans in Shropshire call for Tory support
Fox-hunting supporters in Shropshire are set to join the election campaign trail, urging people to vote for the Conservatives.
Members of hunts in Ludlow, Albrighton and South Shropshire have all come out in support of the party, and said they expected to be out lending their support in marginal seats in the run-up to May 7.
The declaration of support follows a joint email from Lord Mancroft, chairman of the Council of Hunting Associations, and Hunting Office director Tim Easby, which urged hunt supporters to join the campaign trail.
Joint master of the Ludlow Hunt, Bob Smith, and Julian Hill, joint secretary of the Albrighton Hunt, both said they expected to see their members to be campaigning for the party.
The South Shropshire Hunt, whose joint master is Otis Ferry, son of rock star Bryan Ferry, is also a prominent supporter of the Vote-OK group, which urges hunt members to become involved in the political process.
The group claims to have been instrumental in helping Conservative Mark Pritchard win The Wrekin seat from Labour at the 2005 election.
Mr Smith said members of the Ludlow Hunt had offered their services to the Tories at previous elections, and he expected they would do the same again. "Our aim is for people to get a chance to repeal the Hunting Act, and it has been clear for some time that the only way to get that is to support the Conservatives," he said.
Mr Hill said he had not discussed the matter with fellow members at Albrighton yet, but said the hunt was likely to support the call to arms from Lord Mancroft and Mr Easby.
The Prime Minister promised last month to hold a parliamentary vote on repealing the 2005 Hunting Act if the Tories win the election. Mr Easby and Lord Mancroft, who is Prince Charles's hunting partner, said in their email: "As the campaign begins in earnest, we are writing to remind you of the vital importance of the result of the forthcoming General Election. The 7th May could be a great date for Hunting."
It was sent to hunt members across the country – who now number 45,000 according to the Countryside Alliance.
Labour's shadow environment secretary Maria Eagle
said: "The Conservative Party only stands up for a privileged few." Tom Quinn, for League Against Cruel Sports, said the majority of Tory supporters were also opposed to the sport.
