Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

There have been dozens of demonstrations taking place around the country, and several ministers have been run to ground as they attempt to avoid clashes with protesters. Here are some of the highlights.

18th November 2004: Windsor Demonstration

There was a fantastic turnout at Windsor Castle last night where over a thousand people braved wind, rain and sleet to show their contempt for the Prime Minister as he attended a state banquet. Blair, true to form, sadly proved too cowardly to drive past the demonstrators and slunk in through a farm entrance. However the event was a massive success with very positive coverage on BBC News24, BBC 10 O'clock News, Newsnight, ITN, Channel 4 News, Sky News, Channel Five News, Radio 5 Live and Radio 4 PM programme together with almost every newspaper from the Daily Telegraph to the Sun running supportive stories and photographs. That he and President Chirac had to change their travel plans to avoid facing us gave him a foretaste of things to come. A huge thank you to all who attended.

Thursday 18th November - Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac

One hundred hunt supporters gave Tony Blair a piece of their mind this Thursday lunchtime. They camped out on the Mall, opposite Lancaster House while Blair and French President Jacques Chirac held a joint press conference. The protestors waited patiently for almost two hours for the politicians to leave the premises. They were armed with French-language correx boards of "Vive la Chasse" and "Contre prejudice Contre l'interdit" specially produced for M Chirac and the French media. They also had the hunting horns and whistles to produce a huge din that could be heard clean across Lancaster House. Prince Charles drove out onto the Mall and gave the protestors a friendly wave. Camilla Parker-Bowles drove out onto the Mall and gave the protestors a friendly wave. President Jacques Chirac drove out onto the Mall and gave the protestors a friendly wave. Tony Blair drove out onto the Mall and did not give the protestors a friendly wave. The dignitaries were all greeted with a very noisy and (in all but Mr Blair's case) friendly welcome. The demonstrators then dispersed peacefully - many heading straight up to Windsor.

Monday 15th November, London: Patricia Hewitt and Gordon Brown

A dozen hunt supporters (heavily outnumbered by nervous police) picketed Gordon Brown and Patricia Hewitt at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in Westminster on Monday. The Chancellor sneaked in and out through a rear entrance, eluding the protestors. DTI minister Hewitt passed a message out via the police that she did not want to talk to the protestors. She was then driven out past the protestors, who held up their banners to her. She saw the demonstrators & received the message very clearly but made no acknowledgement.

Monday 15th November, London: Tony Blair

Forty noisy & good-humoured hunt supporters welcomed Prime Minister Tony Blair to the Lord Mayor's Banquet at Guildhall on Monday evening. The protestors were met by an overwhelming but polite police presence. With whistles and hunting horns they made a huge amount of noise as the PM's courtege swept into the Guildhall, shouting for him to back the compromise licensing option for the Hunting Bill. The demonstrators then dispersed peacefully.

Saturday 13th November, London: John Reid, Dennis Macshane, David Miliband and Beverley Hughes

Hunt supporters turned out at the TUC centre to talk to John Reid, Dennis Macshane and David Miliband and Beverley Hughes on the coldest day of the Autumn so far. The crowd did not chant or intimidate the ministers on their way in and achieved a high level of interaction with them as a result. John Reid expressed his continuing support for a compromise and spoke for a while in support of our cause. Dennis Macshane said that he was pretty ambivalent either way but if he did vote, felt that he would have to vote in line with the wishes of his urban constituency. David Miliband and Beverley Hughes declined to talk to us. It was refreshing to have two ministers that were willing to hear our concerns.

Friday 12th November, Huw Edwards, Monmouth

More than 100 pro-hunting constituents gathered outside the constituency office of Labour MP for Monmouth, Huw Edwards Gary Yeomans, Master of the Monmouthshire Hunt, who spent nearly half an hour in conversation with the MP, said: "There are two major issues. As a local farmer, I am concerned that the Monmouthshire Hunt kennels are the only Defra-registered collection point for fallen stock in the area, and if hunting is banned, this service will be taken away. The other point is of course hunting itself and today's demonstration will show the strength of feeling in the area. Huw Edwards has consistently voted for a ban and even implied in the past that no-one in his constituency hunts. He is obviously ridiculously far off the mark.

Mr Edwards indicated that he always had and would vote consistently on the issue, although he didn't entirely dismiss the idea of considering the Lords' amendments

Friday 12th November, Jim Knight, Wool

Almost 100 of Labour MP for South Dorset, Jim Knight's, constituents turned up at his surgery in Wool on Friday evening. (It did take a while to hunt him out but we were eventually put in the right direction by a couple of the South Dorset's stalwart car followers!) There was a quiet protest outside his meeting room which was in the centre of an Old People's Complex.

When Mr Knight finished his other meetings, he came out and was approached by the two consituents who had originally tried to get an appointment with him. They got no real change from him. He made clear his intention to vote in favour of a ban on foxhunting in the House next week because he himself supports it. He also attempted to justify why, as a keen shot and fisherman, he is against foxhunting on the grounds that we are dealing with a mammal rather than a bird or a fish!

As he left, Mr Knight was asked by a twelve year old boy why he wanted to ban hunting and replied "It's been around a long time"....!

11th November, Cabinet picket, London

More than 2,500 hunt supporters gathered at the final Cabinet picket on Thursday 11th November, which coincided with Armistice day. Several veterans supported the protest, which was suspended for an hour during the ceremony at the cenotaph. The Ceremony and Minute's silence was incredibly moving and the Cabinet were left in no doubt of our resolve

9th November, London: Alan Millburn

Hunt supporters staked out Cabinet Minister Alan Milburn and rising Labour star Ruth Kelly at an IPPR conference in Senate House on Tuesday morning. The ministers tried to elude the demonstrators by sneaking in through a back entrance. However, the protestors weren't to be beaten. They waited patiently for over two hours outside the building and then caught up with the ministers as they left. Both Milburn and Kelly accepted Countryside Alliance flyers and were subjected to a barrage of questions about the Hunting Bill. They were civil but refused to be drawn on their position.

9th November, Willerby: Charles Clark

40 supporters demonstrated last night outside the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Willerby. Charles Clark entered and left the building by a rear entrance but was without question aware of the demo. There were many expressions of support for the demo from attendees at the function including the Lord Mayor of Hull. Interviews were given to BBC Radio Humberside and Hull Daily Mail.

5th November, Derbyshire: David Blunkett

Hunt supporters met David Blunkett on Friday 5th November at Darley Dale in Derbyshire prior to the Question Time programme.

The Home Secretary was asked why the Government is still pursuing a banning bill, when both the Burns Inquiry and the Portcullis Hearings, and Lord Burns subsequent comments in the most recent Lords debate concluded that there is no evidence to support a ban on hunting. His response was that although it goes against all his principles and the Prime Minister wishes for a licensing option, there is huge support in the House of Commons to push through a ban. He also pointed out that it was he who had tabled the 18 months delay. On further questioning as to who calls the tune, the Home Secretarys reasoning was that if there was a three line whip then almost anything could be achieved, against the outcome of a free vote.

He also commented that drag hunting could still be an option for many.

When asked by the Huntsman from the High Peak kennels if he could expect compensation for loss of employment and housing the answer was a flat 'No'.

He was also asked how we could further our cause and make ourselves heard considering the lack of evidence for a ban. The reply was that lobbying such as this (impromptu) was successful, and that we should maintain our law-abiding protests.

The impression was that the Home Secretary wished that this had never become such a major issue.

4th November, London: Families for Hunting Cabinet Picket

200 hunt supporters gathered outside Downing Street on Thursday morning to protest to ministers as they met for their weekly Cabinet meeting. Eastern, South Eastern and South Western hunts were asked to make a special effort to support this protest and the turn-out from the West Country was particularly good - several bus-loads of supporters had set out long before dawn to make the 9am start.

The protestors were gratified to waylay a number of ministers including Geoff Hoon, who received a leaflet and was subjected to series of probing questions. Baroness Mallalieu concluded the demonstration by delivered a rousing speech, updating them on the political situation and urging them to redouble their efforts in the fight.

3rd November, London: Nigel Griffiths

A committed crowd of supporters gathered outside Gibson Hall at 6.15pm in the City to greet Mr. Griffiths as he came to attend a CBI debate. The main body of protesters were positioned across the road from the front entrance and the back entrance was covered as well. A large number of leaflets were handed out to passers by and to many of the delegates entering the hall itself, and a good show of support was registered by both. Unfortunately the protestors never caught sight of Mr Griffiths himself as the minister sneaked in through a back entrance. A few of the delegates said they would approach him with the leaflet, 'Do you know enough about hunting to ban it?' and give it to him personally, which was particularly pleasing. Police presence was quite high but the demonstration broke up peacefully at 7.30pm.

2nd November, West Midlands: Alistair Darling

Alistair Darling made two visits in the West Midlands on Tuesday. First a visit to the NEC, where he was met by protestors inside and out who left him under no illusion that the pro-hunting community were there. Banners waved outside and then a surprise question from Clare Rowson who launched through security guards to ask him to support a compromise....sadly he didn't answer as she was escorted by police from the Coach & Bus Show!

There was another rendezvous later in the day when demonstrators waited outside the Colmore Row offices of Wragge & Co where Mr Darling was due to speak at The Birmingham Post's Get Moving forum. Protesters made sure he was well aware that they were there! He was slowed down on the way in with protestors stalling the vehicle and for the second time in the day he stared the Regional Director in the eye until again she was man handled out of the way by police! On the way out he was running scared, breaking the law by driving the wrong way up at least three one way streets. Perhaps not a very appropriate way for the Minister of Transport to behave...!

01 Nov, Grimsby: Margaret Beckett

105 people turned up to welcome Margaret Beckett and the police facilitated a meeting with her meaning that she was once more part of the minority of MPs happy to speak to a delegation of demonstrators - if only all MPs were so reasonable. Margaret Beckett said that she had never wanted a ban and admitted that backbenchers were motivated by prejudice. There are some honest MPs after all!

1st November, Nottingham: Estelle Morris

75 Hunting supporters, the majority from the Quorn hunt, bore down on Nottingham on Monday evening to "meet" the Education Minister Estelle Morris. The Minister dodged them and had a meeting inside a College. They sent messages inside but she refused to see them. They signed a note, with 73 signatures, to her and sent it in with a policeman. The note "regretted the Minister did not have the courage to meet electors with a problem". At least the Minister knew we were there!

Up to 50 mega banners have been set up throughout the country as a visual reminder across road networks of the strength and determination of hunt supporters to fight the ban.

30th October, Hull: John Prescott is run to ground

50 hunt supporters from the Holderness Hunt and the Hunsley Beacon Beagles demonstrated outside the offices of East Hull Labour Party as Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was holding a constituency surgery.

Mr Prescott refused to address the demonstrators. However, two of Mr Prescott's constituents who follow the Holderness, Kevin and Josie Jackson, spent 20 minutes with him discussing the Hunting Bill.Following the meeting Kevin said " We put our case for the compromise but his line is that there is no middle way, he has voted for a ban for 34 years and will continue to do so. We asked him if he had ever been and followed a hunt and he said he had no need to because he had seen photographs!"

29 October, Swansea: Peter Hain

Peter Hain, fresh from meeting hunt supporters in Oxford, ventured west to Wales where his reception was no less warm. Organised at less than 24 hours notice, a large crowd of demonstrators gathered outside the venue he was heading towards. Once more he gave the lie to his claimed desire to engage in dialogue with the hunting community by speeding past supporters without so much as an acknowledgement. Many of those there were once again left wondering why despite his whining requests in the House of Commons the day before asking hunt supporters to "make the case" he was making it impossible for them to do so.

29th October, Oxford: Peter Hain

Peter Hain was due to speak to the Young Labour Society in Oxford. He was obviously expecting us and so tried a last minute change of venue to Balliol College to heighten security. Mr Hain arrived by taxi with two minders, but no police to greet 40 people who had quick-wittedly managed to find the new venue. Even though an amicable invitation to meet a small delegation was issued to greet the Minister he refused to see them, at times resorting to obscenities to endorse his rejection. Some members managed to gain entry into the meeting, open to all students, to try to put their point across, where they where all asked for ID to ensure their student status. Some attendants who were disappointed by the refusal of the minister to enter into a discussion on the subject, decided to throw eggs to make their point. Despite later claims by the minister, this mischievous prank posed no threat to the minister. Mr Hain also asked that the hunt community try to use argument not actions to make their point, however this proved impossible, when he refused even a five minute conversation. This emphasised the minister's ability to spin, when it was his intolerance that moved people to further measures, hitherto unnecessary. The laxity in security meant that Mr Hain's return train journey also became known to the protesters on the night, and Mr. Hain was reminded on his way home of the resilience of those who oppose a ban.

28 October, Westminster: Alun Michael uses new tactics in his attempts to avoid protesters

Several protesters got the day off to an early start as they gathered at 8.30 the QEII Conference Centre at Westminster to await the arrival of junior rural affairs minister Alun Michael, who was due to speak at the Broadband Britain conference. He delayed until the last minute in an attempt to avoid protesters, and although he couldn't avoid them altogether, his driver executed some impressive high-speed manoeuvres to ensure contact was kept to an absolute minimum.

28 October, Whitehall: Families for Hunting Cabinet picket

A crowd of 500 gathered at the Cabinet Picket on Thursday 28th October, including several children keen to make their support for hunting known. The Wessex hunts split themselves into three groups to man the Picket, covering all the above ground entrances to Downing Street, and making enough noise to be heard clearly from No.10.

In attendance were representatives from, amongst others, the VWH, the Beaufort, the Cotswold, the South and West Wilts, the Clifton Foot Beagles, the Wick and District Beagles and the National Coursing Club. The youthful exuberance of so many children - sporting banners such as "my pony and I love hunting so don't ban it" and "children for hunting, don't take our future" - added to the family atmosphere of the protest.

Some particularly passionate girls from the Berkeley took their tops off for the media photographers assembled, earning a huge cheer. Celebrity chef and countrywoman Clarissa Dickson-Wright also looked in on the Picket to show her support, as did Lord Mancroft. At 12.30, a rousing speech from Simon Hart brought the picket to a close.

28 October, Westminster: Mike O'Brien hides behind police

As the cabinet picket finished at 12.30, several protesters made their way to the QE2 conference to greet Mike O'Brien MP. As many as 100 protesters were soon joined by a large contingent of police and police medics who surrounded the protesters on both sides of the conference centre. Although the large number of police reflected the large number of protesters it did not reflect the peaceful intentions of the crowd.

28 October, the City: Tony Blair is lobbied peacefully

as protesters 'sex up' conference Protesters learnt during the course of the early afternoon that Tony Blair was speaking at the Mermaid centre in Blackfriars at 3.15pm. A small number of excited supporters raced across London, arriving at the Mermaid centre just in time to picket Mr. Blair. The BBC was delighted that a 'rather dull conference had suddenly been livened up', as 15 demonstrators gave Mr. Blair a noisy but peaceful welcome. The police were considerably edgier than earlier in the day due to the close proximity of the protesters and the PM but the demo dispersed peacefully at approx. 3.30pm.

25 October, London: Lord Whitty cancels photo-op.

Fifteen hunt supporters turned out at 10am on Monday 25^th October to protest against junior countryside minister Lord Whitty of Camberwell who was attending a conference on food imports at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre near Parliament Square.

Lord Whitty arrived early for the conference and so entered the building before demonstrators were ready for him. But protestors waited patiently outside the venue, near the photo-op backdrop arranged by Lord Whitty's media team

Demonstrators had expected to catch the minister as he came out for the cameras, but sadly he decided to cancel the photo-call instead of risking any confrontation. The hardy hunt supporters stuck around and were eventually able to get their message across directly to Whitty some time after midday. As his car pulled round in front of the protestors he waved in acknowledgement.

25 October, London: Alistair Darling delays entrance to avoid hunting crowd

75 people turned up to meet Alistair Darling last night despite the cold and the wind. It was a lively event with at least 20 children making it a true family occasion. Covering both possible entrances into the Hilton Park Lane, Darling was forced to wait 15 minutes while police turned up. Four police marked a barrier that was not crossed by a lively and loud but impeccably controlled protest. Darling could not fail to see our resolve as he hid in cowardly fashion behind the building.

24 October, London: Alun Michael gets Frosty reception.

By 8am on Sunday morning 30 hunt supporters, most from the Vale of Aylesbury with the Garth and South Berks Hunt, gathered outside the main entrance to the BBC Television Centre in Wood Lane, White City to wait for Alun Michael to arrive for an interview on Frost on Sunday.

While they waited Sir Tim Rice drove up and had to stop at roadwork traffic lights by the entrance. When the protestors waved and caught his attention he acknowledged them with a nod and a smile. Shortly afterwards Sir David Frost arrived and as his car waited at the barrier one of the group suggested helpfully "Give him Hell Sir David!" Sir David gave a thumbs-up.

Shortly after this the Ministerial Limo arrived and swept past with Alun Michael in the back - needless to say he neither waved or smiled. His arrival prompted a roar from our crowd - the usual general racket supported by a hunting horn, howling terrier, whistles megaphones.

Another few minutes passed by and Sir John Major was driven in. He acknowledged the protestors and Mrs. Major turned and smiled as they went past the barrier.

During Sir David's interview with Alun Michael, when he was pressing to see if there was any chance of a compromise, Sir David mentioned the fact that hunt supporters had been demonstating outside the studios and questioned him on the issue. One hunt supporter commented that Mr Michael really seemed "got-at" for the first time.

23 October, London: Gordon Brown sneaks in to TUC to avoid protesters

A dozen people turned up to greet Gordon Brown when he came to speak to the TUC at their conference centre in London. Despite the fact that there was no contact with the police as it was clearly a peaceful demonstration, Mr Brown felt it necessary to sneak in through the underground car park to avoid us. Although there was no contact those gathered felt that we had succeeded as we had caused the Chancellor to amend his plans. 

22 October, County Durham: Tony Blair forced to miss out on steam train ride

Tony Blair was due to arrive by steam train to open a railway museum in Shildon.  A huge police presence meant that demonstrators could not get close to Mr. Blair and were corralled behind a chain link fence. 

The presence of the Demonstrators meant that Blair was unable to have a ride on a steam train at the museum and had to make a detour through a goods yard to get to his engagement! 

22 October, Woodgate: Patricia Hewitt ignores protesters outside constituency surgery

Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, categorically refused to speak to hunt supporters who had gathered outside her constituency office to lobby the minister as she arrived for her weekly surgery. Click here to see a full report in the Leicester Mercury 23.10.04

 22 October, Cambridge: Pro-hunters target Lord Falconer as he opens Cambridge Crown Court

There was a peaceful protest to meet Lord Falconer as he arrived in Cambridge to open the new crown court

Click here to read the full report in the Cambridge Evening News 22.10.04

22 October, Derby: Margaret Beckett speaks to demonstrators at her Constituency Surgery

Margaret Becket invited in two hunt supporters from the small crowd who had gathered outside her constituency office, to convey their points of view. Click here to see the full report in the Derby Evening Telegraph

21 October, Warwickshire: Mike O'Brien fails to engage with rural community

There was a good hit on Mike O'Brien on the Warks / Leics border on Thursday 21 October. About fifty hunt supporters turned out to meet the minister, who was in the area for a meeting to discuss planning proposal for hundreds of starter homes.

Residents were very unhappy with the outcome, and after the meeting O'Brien was advised by the police that a meeting with some of our people might be the best way of diffusing the situation.

He did so, against his will, but didn't prove particularly amenable and was eventually jeered back to his car by the crowd. The police were extremely friendly, and there was BBC coverage of the demonstration.

21 October, Downing Street: Local hunts from the South and South East picket cabinet

One hundred and fifty hunt supporters turned out on a cold but sunny Thursday morning to picket this week's Downing Street Cabinet meeting.

The Hampshire Hunt (HH) had cancelled the morning's hunting for the purpose, as had the Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent. The Old Berks, New Forest,  Surrey Union, Ashford Valley, East Kent, Blean Beagles, Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdray, Wye Beagles, National Coursing Club, Kent and Sussex Mink Hounds, Bolebroke Beagles and Lambourn Trainers also contributed to the gathering, whose hunting horns, whistles and music (Land of Hope and Glory & Guns'n'Roses) made its presence clear throughout Whitehall.

The protesters had brief run-ins with Geoff Hoon (who picked up a leaflet) and Margaret Beckett amongst others. Their presence reminded the Cabinet of their determination and commitment to fight any ban on hunting.

The picket was the second of series being held on Cabinet Meeting days until the end of the Parliamentary Session and was manned by hunt representatives from the South and South East.

Local Alliance spokesperson Tracy Casstles commented: "We have travelled up to London to show the Government that we are determined and committed to fighting this unjust law.

"This ban has nothing to do with animal welfare. It is a vindictive and prejudiced attack on a minority. The Cabinet cannot wash their hands of this - they will be responsible if they allow the bigots on their backbenches to win through.

"During the picket we talked to the public about how important hunting is to the countryside and rural communities. There is absolutely no justification for a ban and we are prepared to return again and again until the Government treats us fairly".

21 October, Oxford Union: Caroline Flint has forceful police protection from rural crowd

There was no violence or trouble, as pro-hunting protesters gathered at the Oxford Union to meet Caroline Flint as she turned up to take part in a debate. The police moved her swiftly through the small crowd at the front on the way in.  Two of our protestors were taken aback by this, one was shocked at being pushed aside so forcefully. 

On the exit, the police produced an effective decoy with a car at the rear entrance, then switched Ms Flint's exit to the front.  She didn't get to leave in her luxury car, but did get a ride in a police van.  She missed the nice sit down dinner afterwards too.

A request was made asking if she would come out and speak to us, or if we could send a delegation in, but this was not met.

20 October, Grimsby: Stephen Twigg runs from the truth

Schools Minister Stephen Twigg ran for cover in Grimsby today rather than face people whose way of life is under threat from a ban on hunting.

A crowd of more than 100 country sport supporters from north Lincolnshire's two leading hunts gathered to lobby the Minister at Grimsby Town Football Club. He had to pass through the horde on his way to the function and exchanged a brief word with demonstrators. The protesters, which included members of both the Brocklesby and South Wold hunts, asked Mr. Twigg to receive a small delegation to discuss the Hunting Bill but instead he chose to sneak out of a back exit.

Countryside Alliance Regional Director, Kay Chapman, said: "It's sad that a member of a Government which is ready to take away our freedom simply in order to satisfy the prejudice of its backbenchers can't even face the people who stand to suffer. This was a peaceful demonstration and all we wanted was ten minutes to ask Mr. Twigg to support proposals to license hunting rather than ban it.

"The fact that he could not look us in the eye suggests he knows as well as we do that this Bill is a spiteful attack on a reasonable minority. He might have sneaked away this time, but he can't run from the truth for ever".

Locked outside the John Smiths stand, the group was in defiant mood.

Chris Wilkinson (35), of the Brocklesby Hunt, said: "We heard the MP was coming down here so we rang around and rallied the troops.

"It's a very close-knit community and the turn-out has been brilliant. Any anti-hunt MPs in this area had better watch out because we will hunt them until democracy is done."

Roger Douglas, from Thorganby, said: "If they are banning fox hunting what are they going to do about fishing? That's hunting in the sea. Grimsby people should be very worried."

Once inside, Mr Twigg spoke to the Grimsby Telegraph about the surprise confrontation.

He said: "This is the first time I have been to Grimsby and it is the first time I have been lobbied like this. It's an issue that a lot of people have strong views on it.

"A lot of time and research has been put into this issue. My personal view is the way I voted is still right and I believe the majority of my constituency feel the same way."

15 October, Ipswich: Rural community preys upon Lord Falconer

A crowd of 60 lined the ramp up to the court entrance, with a highly visible "say no to unjust law" mega banner highlighting the issue. Protesters were suitably noisy with horns, whistles etc.

There was some discussion as to whether Falconer would make his 'grand entrance' because of the presence of the pro-hunting crowd, but eventually he braved it, and went up the ramp pursued by cameras and people waving correx boards.

Falconer later agreed to speak to the Countryside Alliance's regional director Liz Mort. She asked him, whether in his role as a minister and a member of the Lords, he would align himself with the majority of peers and support a compromise, which he confirmed he would.

15 October, Westminster: Lord Whitty faces the fray

A dozen hunt supporters caught up with Minister for Farming Lord Whitty of Camberwell as he arrived to give a talk to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in Birdcage Walk, Westminster.

Lord Whitty seemed surprised to see them. He had no security and no police were on hand to protect him. As he got out of his ministerial car he faced a barrage of questions, including whether he supported licensed hunting and whether it would be right to use the Parliament Act to push through the Bill.

Lord Whitty reached the top stair of the porch-entrance to the Institution and from that comparative safety he turned and answered several of the questions we had posed. He said: "I did support the licensed option but nobody else did". He didn't say whether he still supported licensed hunting. He added the Parliament Act would be justified if there was no other option.

13 October, Maidstone: Alun Michael reminded that emotions are running high

Some 150 -200 members of the Country Sports community in Kent gathered at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, near Maidstone, from 5:30pm. They were there to demonstrate to Mr Michael that hunting is popular in Kent with many families taking part and that livelihoods are dependent upon its continuation.

The crowd included representatives from the Kent packs and several shoots as well as country people who see the Hunting Bill as symptomatic of New Labours self-conscious unwillingness to understand the countryside.

They stood in the steadily increasing rain for two hours in some cases before Mr Michael's car swept past them to a roar of disapproval. Despite the rain the fire in the hearts of these people was not dowsed.

It was declared to be a 'job well done' - Mr Michael being in no doubt that he was just about as popular as a slug on your dahlias. He did however deign to grant an audience with a small delegation that was able to spend ten minutes in an atmosphere of icy politeness.

Alun Michael was appearing at the Ruralnet conference. This appearance merited attention from the large field-sports community in the county because of the part played by Mr Michael in bringing about the Hunting Bill that currently threatens their way of life.

One local supporter of hunting, said: "The Field Sports Community is sickened by Mr Michael's arrogance. He promised a Bill based on 'evidence and principle' but has allowed this to become a Bill based on prejudice and bigotry."

"We were outside the Conference Centre to represent the thousands of decent, hardworking families in the south east who would be affected by a ban.

"Mr Michael has been left in no doubt about how we feel but it is infuriating that he cares not about the devastating effect that a ban would have on our lives - odd when the conference was supposed to be about supporting the countryside not blighting it."