#84 Lobby Your Local MP

I don't really know that much about politics. I always vote - even if I'm not sure I understand how it all works. The most confusing election I ever voted in was the Welsh Assembly elections where there was 2 or 3 ballot papers, numerous votes on each and countless candidates for parties I'd never even heard of. In the end I had to resort to voting for the names and logos I liked - it was as good a method as any...

So I consulted my sage old Pa for advice and he gave me a few pointers. I also researched my chosen topic on the interweb so that I would sound like I knew what I was blathering about, resulting in me sending the following letter to my MP, Conservative Gerald Howarth.

Dear Mr Howarth,

I am writing to you to establish your position on the Hunting Act 2004. I understand that David Cameron has promised a free vote if the Conservative party win the next General Election. I would like to know which way you would vote on this issue?

I am opposed to hunting with dogs as I believe it to be unnecessary and cruel. I consider the arguments put forward by pro-hunt supporters to be unfounded. Findings by the University of Bristol (2001) and The Veterinary Record (2000) show that hunting foxes with dogs does not significantly control fox numbers and furthermore that fox predation is not a significant cause of livestock or game mortality. I believe that in areas where foxes do present a risk to other wildlife, or the local environment, there are more effective methods of control.

The Burns Inquiry also accepted that hunting with dogs seriously compromises the welfare of deer and concluded that there is little, or no, need to control hare numbers and where they are hunted it is done for recreational purposes. I consider this practice to be immoral and unacceptable and would urge you to consider voting against a repeal of the ban.

The hunting ban has not always proved effective in halting the activity of hunting groups but I believe it is important to maintain the ban. Repealing the Act would send a message that hunting is acceptable and 75% of the British public do not agree with this. Please consider signing the EDM 79 which is opposed to any attempts to repeal the Hunting Act.

I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on this and look forward to a response in due course.

Thank you very much.

Yours sincerely
Helen Farrell


I have yet to receive a response but I will be sure to update you when I do. I quite enjoyed the process of lobbying and would encourage others to do the same if there is an issue you feel strongly about. After all, our MPs work for us and are in Parliament on our behalf so let's put them to work!

Tick! Green star for Hellie!