LETTER TO PAPERS ON FOX HUNTING

2.00.00pm GMT Sat 6th Mar 2010

Steve Gilbert has said that he would vote to keep the ban on fox hunting.

Dear Editor,

Last week the Labour candidate suggested that I've kept my view on fox-hunting under wraps - far from it. In fact, I've answered dozens of emails and letters on the issue and am happy to set out my view here.

First, I think Parliament has already spent too much time debating fox-hunting. So bizarre have been this Labour Government's priorities that MPs spent 700 hours debating fox-hunting and only 7 hours deciding the invasion of Iraq.

Second, we know that the Conservatives have said that they would bring forward a vote to allow fox hunting if they win the next election. But with all the issues that face the country at the moment, the economic and banking crisis, an on-going war in Afghanistan, and the need to address funding of long-term care and pensions, I'd have thought that some other issues may be slightly more urgent. The Tories obsession with fox hunting says a lot about the change they want to see.

So, to make my position clear, if I'm elected I'd vote to keep the ban.

I hope this helps,

Best wishes,

Steve

Steve Gilbert

Prospective MP for St Austell & Newquay

www.SteveGilbert.info