Recent reports that the Hunting Act is nothing more than a temporary ban on hunting are quite simply not true.

The Hunting Act is an important piece of animal welfare legislation which protects wild animals from needless suffering and to repeal it would be a step backwards for what is supposed to be a progressive, civilised society.

I'm sure most readers, like the League Against Cruel Sports, abhor fox hunting.

But it is worth reminding them that the Conservative party has promised a free vote on repeal if it is elected in the next general election.

In doing so, the party would be going against the will of 59 per cent of its own voters and 75 per cent of the public who think hunting should remain illegal.

But, more importantly, it would also be leaving itself wide open to being labelled the 'nasty party' which supports blood sports and animal cruelty. Is this the party we want to run our country?

John Cooper

Chairman

League Against Cruel Sports