Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

Tony Blair's reputation for not being wholly wedded to the truth has been supported by more important evidence than his behaviour over the Hunting Act, but that issue and his re-writing of history in his newly published memoir, 'A Journey,' typifies his delusion. In it he says that the hunting ban is "one of the domestic legislative measures I most regret," but claims he ensured that the Hunting Act was "a masterly British compromise" that left enough loopholes to allow hunting to continue "provided certain steps were taken to avoid cruelty when the fox is killed."

To anyone with the most limited understanding of the Parliamentary process that put the Act on the Statute Book this is complete and utter nonsense. Blair's Government, after a Government Inquiry and years of public and political debate, published a Hunting Bill in December 2002. That Bill did not seek to ban hunting. It would have allowed fox hunting and other activities to continue if they could persuade a tribunal they could meet twin tests based on 'utility' and 'cruelty'. The Bill would, however, have banned stag hunting and coursing outright. In defiance of all logic, but to no one's surprise, Labour MPs in the House of Commons rejected the Government's proposals for licensing and, led by Gerald Kaufman and the late Tony Banks, turned the bill into a complete ban on all hunting.

The House of Lords, however, was ready to compromise and instead of rejecting the ban entirely turned the Bill back into its original 'licensing' form. Although, after Defra Minister Alun Michael's claim that there was incontrovertible evidence that staghunting was cruel was condemned as 'scientifically illiterate' by the scientist who carried out the definitive study of staghunting, the Lords did amend the original licensing Bill to allow the tribunal to consider applications for a licence from all types of hunts. It also introduced a conservation element into the tests so that hunts could support license applications on the grounds of environmental benefits.

With only 20% of even Labour peers supporting it there was quite obviously no way that the House of Lords was ever going to support a total ban on hunting. Without the support of peers a ban could only be passed using the mighty constitutional hammer of the Parliament Acts (the very rarely used route by which Bills can become law without the assent of the House of Lords) which put Blair in a remarkably strong position to push through a classic New Labour 'middle way' resolution.

But by the summer of 2004 things were not going well for Blair in the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Iraq, Foundation Hospitals and any number of other unpopular policies were causing dissent in the ranks and at every PLP meeting one issue was at the top of backbenchers' agenda: they wanted the Hunting Act back in its banning form in a timescale that would engage the Parliament Act. Gerald Kaufman even wrote a comment piece in The Guardian stating that he would vote against the Government on Foundation Hospitals for the first time in his long, long parliamentary career if it did not give him a hunting ban. By July Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong and Leader of the House Peter Hain, never shy of trying to endear himself to his colleagues, went to Blair and told him that they could not hold the PLP unless he gave them their hunting ban, and he agreed in the full knowledge of exactly what he was doing.

For the first and only time in 13 years of Labour Government, Parliament was recalled in September. The Hunting Bill was brought back as a total ban and on September 15th 2004 it passed all stages in the Commons in one day despite massive demonstrations. Blair emerged from Downing Street to vote against the ban, but this act, like the denials in his book, was completely duplicitous. By bringing back the Bill and engaging the Parliament Act he had sabotaged a carefully crafted position which should have allowed the Government and parliament to agree a workable licensing regime.

The law that was passed does not allow hunting to continue "provided certain steps were taken to avoid cruelty when the fox is killed". It bans nearly all hunting of nearly all species. This was not "a masterly British compromise," it was a craven retreat from evidence and logic for short term political ends. If there is any compromise it is in the enforcement of the law, and Blair can claim no credit for passing an Act which is both so illogical and so reviled by every single person it is meant to affect that the police take the view that they have better things to do than try and make it work.

Tony Blair's re-writing of history is not going to fool anyone. He, and he alone, was responsible for the rejection of the 'middle way' proposals for licensed hunting and the passing of a complete ban on all hunting. A compromise was on the table, but by bringing back the Hunting Bill as a complete ban in a timetable that allowed the Parliament Acts to be used he created one of the most illiberal, ineffective and wasteful laws of modern times. The fact that he knew what he was doing was wrong makes his actions more reprehensible, not less.

 

The New Forest Online Auction is currently inviting bids for the lots listed below - country sports lovers in the South of England will be especially tempted! The lots on offer are:

Half a day (4 hours) cruise in the Solent on board "Westbreeze" - a 26ft luxury hardtop motorcruiser for up to 4 people and including a picnic lunch. Depart from Lymington. To be taken before the end of October.

VIP tour of the New Forest Hounds' kennels in the company of a Master and the Huntsman for up to 10 people. To include refreshments.

Limited edition print of Lionel Edwards painting of New Forest Hounds 1912. Framed, approx 28" x 22". Image of print can be emailed at request.

Day's Fishing on the River Test at Bransbury Mill, Prior mid-October or during 2011 Season, Kindly donated by Sally Merison

Please email your highest bid to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Last bids 10th September 12 midnight. Successful bidders will be contacted on Monday 14th September.

 

As the sixth Countryside Alliance Awards get underway, the East of England has emerged as the top Award winner of the previous five years. The region has won three national titles and taken four national commendations - the most of all the twelve competing regions and just ahead of Yorkshire, the South of England and Wales. "The Rural Oscars" are the Countryside Alliance's annual celebration of rural businesses, produce and communities and are public-nomination led. You can nominate in the 2010 Awards at www.countrysideallianceawards.co.uk

The Eastern region's overall dominance is threatened by Yorkshire and Wales, who routinely do very well in the food category, and Scotland, who are tough to beat in the enterprise category. Findings include:

. In the Local Food category, both Yorkshire and the South of England have taken the national title twice

. Community-run initiatives have scored highly in the Village Shop/ Post Office title on three occasions

. Scotland has won the Enterprise Award for the last two years

. The Enterprise category is dominated by "diversify or close" initiatives such as a buffalo farm and a pub-cum-deli

. The Traditional Business winners boast a combined business-age of 315 years over several generations

. Heroism appears to be an East of England trait with easterners Ian Pigott and Rev Canon Alan Robson each scooping a Rural Hero Award

Having run the Awards for five years it was a good time to take stock and see if patterns were emerging across the categories; if one region was strong in one category but not others; which corner of Britain is best for food and which for rural skills.

What we have found is that the East of England is excellent overall while other areas are more specialised: village shops seem to go the distance for their communities more in the Midlands while the entrepreneurial spirit seems to be more of a northern trait. Traditional skills such as in butchery or bespoke clothing are thankfully widespread, meaning you will find an exceptional butcher or a well cut jacket in most parts of Britain. In the countryside, tradition and enterprise are both very much in evidence. It is encouraging to see that, even though the East of England is a great all-rounder, every part of Britain is making its contribution.

Nominations can be made at www.countrysideallianceawards.co.uk until late October. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your name and address if you would like some nomination forms and posters.

 

2-5th September - the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire. http://www.burghley-horse.co.uk/default.asp Visit Countryside Alliance Regional Director Alice Barnard and her team on the Countryside Alliance stand

3-5th September - Chatsworth Country Fair, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire. http://www.chatsworthcountryfair.co.uk Countryside Alliance Regional Director Steve Clark will be there with his team so please pay them a visit

Sunday 5th September - New Forest Fun Horse & Bike Ride. Ride 8 miles or cycle 9 or 19 miles though open forest, mostly off road in the heart of the New Forest National Park. In aid of Countryside Alliance and Hampshire Animal Rescue. Family £20 (2 adults up to 4 children), Adult £10, Under 16 £5. Contact Sara Rutherford to pre-book or just turn up on the day. Start times in 15 minute slots from 9.30am - 1.30pm. Helpers required: If you can spare an hour or more to help steward the route we would be very grateful. Also, any donations of cake would be gratefully received for the refreshment trailer. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

9th September - Westmorland County Show, Lane Farm, Crooklands, Kendal, Cumbria http://www.westmorlandshow.co.uk/

9-12th September - Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, Blenheim Palace, Gloucestershire http://www.blenheim-horse.co.uk/

9th-19th September - a team of Countryside Alliance supporters will be climbing Kilimanjaro to raise funds for our campaigning work. Read about the team and sponsor them here http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/blogcategory/mount-kilimanjaro-challenge-2010/

11th September - Holt's Auctioneers Countryside Alliance Raceday Lunch, Goodwood Racecourse, Sussex. Goodwood Racecourse is considered by many to be the most beautiful racecourse in the world. So why not treat yourself to a day at the races? A champagne reception and lunch in the Charlton Suite plus a full afternoon's programme of top-quality racing with hounds parading between races. Contact South East Regional Director Michelle Nudds for ticket info - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

12th September - Hampshire Country Sports Day, Tichborne Park, Alresford, Hants. The best one-day show in the south! A great day out for all the family with hounds, falconry, gundogs, ferrets, hunt relay, trade stands, local food and more! Gates open 9.30am - entry £8/person and £1/child (under-14s free). www.hampshirecountrysportsday.co.uk

12th September - The Frampton Country Fair celebrates its Silver Jubilee at Frampton Court Estate, Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire. The show flourishes on the theme "The Living Working Countryside" since it encompasses all that is truly great about the countryside. The fair is also a major fund raiser for many locally based and national charities as it distributes all profits. http://www.framptoncountryfair.co.uk/

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September - Midland Game Fair - Weston Park, Shropshire TF11 8LE. www.countrymanfairs.co.uk The Midland Game Fair is Europe's leading showcase of country sports and country life. With 19 arenas, live entertainment and over 500 exhibition stands the Midland is also a great day out for the whole family. Come and visit Countryside Alliance Regional Director Clare Rowson and her team on the Countryside Alliance stand.

18th & 19th September - The Royal County of Berkshire Show at the showground, Newbury. http://www.newburyshowground.co.uk/ Come and visit Countryside Alliance Regional Director Sara Rutherford and her team on the Countryside Alliance stand