Blair faces revolt against hunting

22 March 2001



Blair faces revolt against hunting

By FWi staff

TONY Blair faces a backbench revolt if his general election manifesto does not pledge a complete ban on hunting with dogs, reports The Independent.

It says up to 100 MPs are preparing to defy the Prime Minister and issue personal manifestos giving a commitment to a total ban.

The newspaper says Mr Blair is reluctant to pledge to push through a ban, and some MPs fear he may seek to allow some form of hunting to continue.

On Monday the House of Lords will vote on the Hunting Bill, and it is predicted that a “middle way”, licensing hunts, will attract considerable support.

• The Independent, 22 March, 2001, page 2