A Facebook campaign group and online petition calling for the ban on fox hunting to remain in place have been gathering support over the last couple of days.
Islanders are concerned the Hunting Act, which has been in place for the last ten years and bans the hunting of foxes with dogs, could be reversed.
Cora Wade set up the online petition targeted at Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner, which has already attracted over 500 signatures. It reads,
As is common knowledge, Prime Minister David Cameron intends to hold a parliamentary vote on repealing the Hunting Ban (2004). He believes that people have a right to hunt.
The Island people do not want a repeal and we ask you to please represent our views in Parliament.
Online poll
As well as the petition, a poll has been set up by Sandy Clarke on iwvote.com Website.
He’s keen to find out whether Islanders are for or against the ban possibly being repealed, or even whether they’re just not bothered.
He says,
“Back in 2003, MPs voted to ban hunting with dogs. Andrew Turner, Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight voted against the all-out foxhunting ban. Most British people supported the ban on fox hunting, and even people living in rural areas share this tendency.
The new Government are planning a free vote to repeal the Hunting Act and we want to know your view as an Isle of Wight resident.”
Robby not pro
Rumours that Bestival organiser, Rob da Bank, was pro-hunting started to circulate on Facebook this morning.
OnTheWight got in touch with him to find out whether there was any truth to the rumours.
He told us,
“No, I’m definitely not pro-hunting.”
Word from the MP
OnTheWight has also asked Andrew Turner whether he plans to vote in favour of the fox hunting ban being repealed.
We’ll update here once we hear back from his office.
