SNP considers voting to stop lifting of foxhunting ban
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Version 0 of 1. The Scottish National party is considering whether to oppose the repeal of the foxhunting ban in England and Wales, which is being pushed by some Conservative MPs, who hope there could be a vote this year. SNP MPs usually do not vote on issues that only affect England and Wales, but the party’s leader, Nicola Sturgeon, has hinted that this could be an exception. During the election campaign, she said the SNP was open to changing its policy on keeping out of votes on devolved issues, such as health, if Westminster’s actions could have a knock-on effect on Scotland. Some Tory MPs are pushing for a vote on foxhunting to be held within the next few months after it was promised in the party manifesto. The Hunting Act introduced by the Labour government in 2004 bans hunting foxes, deer, hare and mink with dogs. Asked on Twitter about how the SNP would vote, Sturgeon replied: “The SNP has not yet taken decision on this. We certainly don’t agree with repealing ban.” @The_Extractor_ the SNP has not yet taken decision on this. We certainly don't agree with repealing ban The SNP’s Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, told the Scotsman newspaper: “SNP MPs still have to consider the legislation, which we haven’t seen. We need to see it, but of course we will be looking at that closely. “You do of course understand that the UK government imposes its fiat – its will – on Scotland without any significant legitimacy whatsoever, so we’re having legislation foisted on Scotland with only one [Tory] MP. “So we have to look at all of the issues coming forward in this new parliament following the independence referendum on its merits and we’ll be doing that when we see the legislation that is proposed by the government.” Despite David Cameron’s personal support for foxhunting, Downing Street is unlikely to be happy about the reignition of the controversial issue now that the Conservatives have a majority. MPs would be allowed to vote however they wished on foxhunting as it is considered to be an issue of conscience. With a majority of just 12, there would only have to be a few Conservative rebels for the repeal to be blocked with the help of Labour and the SNP. |