THE Tories will renew a pledge to hold a free vote on overturning the ban on fox hunting, Theresa May has said.
The Prime Minister made clear she was in favour of the outlawed activity but said MPs would be given the final say.
Shortly after the General Election in 2015, David Cameron withdrew his Government’s attempt to relax the fox hunting ban in England and Wales after the SNP, with 56 newly-elected MPs, announced it would vote against any change; in the past the Nationalists had always made clear they would not usually vote on matters regarded as England-only.
With the possibility Mrs May might achieve a landslide victory on June 9, then the chances of reversing the fox hunting ban would increase markedly.
During a campaign visit to a factory in Leeds, the PM said: "This is a situation on which individuals will have one view or the other, either pro or against.
"As it happens, personally I have always been in favour of fox hunting, and we maintain our commitment; we have had a commitment previously as a Conservative Party to allow a free vote. It would allow Parliament the opportunity to take the decision on this."
However, Sir Roger Gale, a Conservative Party vice-chairman, who is a patron of Conservatives Against Fox Hunting, warned against re-opening the debate.
He claimed MPs in the next parliament would have "more than enough to occupy" their time without considering "yesterday's argument" of repealing the 2004 Hunting Act.
Sir Roger, seeking re-election in North Thanet, added that he could “not see many Conservative votes" for fox hunting in marginal seats the party was targeting at the General Election, while most of the newer MPs could turn out to be anti-hunting.
But Tim Bonner, Chief Executive for the Countryside Alliance, said the Hunting Act had failed, saying: "We will wait to see what is contained in the manifesto but every party would agree with the premise that if you don't like a law, campaign against it and take your views to the ballot box.
"The case for hunting and the case against the Hunting Act remains strong and we will continue to make the case to politicians of all parties," he added.
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