Unjust Law, a Just response
Simon Hart - posted by Henry | 19.11.2004 18:36
As you are proably aware last night the House of Commons voted a total ban on hunting onto the statute book, via the Parliament Acts for start in February 2005.
The decision by the House of Commons should serve as a stark warning to any community which believes in a tolerant society free from prejudice and discrimination. The House of Commons has passed a Bill in defiance of evidence and principle.
I want to take this opportunity to explain the next stages of our campaign and the role that all of us have to play in it.
Firstly, it is imperative that we do not see yesterday’s decision as the end of the campaign. It is not. It is the beginning of stage two.
What are we doing about it?
Parliament Act challenge
The Alliance will now launched its challenge to the validity of the 1949 Parliament Act in the names of John Jackson, Patrick Martin and Mair Hughes. Sir Sidney Kentridge QC is leading the case on behalf of the Alliance. I will keep you informed of the timings and whereabouts of court hearings. We would urge members to take an active interest in what is going to be one of the most significant constitutional cases in recent history.
For those who do not know, our case centres on the argument that the 1949 Act was not properly passed, and the Hunting Act is therefore unlawful.
It is essential that there is no behaviour which could be interpreted as an attempt to put pressure on the Court.
Human Rights Act challenge
The second legal case will contend that the Hunting Bill infringes human rights under the European Convention. The incompatibility of the ‘banning’ Bill with human rights has already been accepted in part by the conclusion of the parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
New Research
The Alliance and the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA) will be urgently investigating new independent research to assess the ecological and welfare damage caused by the hunting ban.
How can hunts survive?
The CHA, with whom we are working very closely, are circulating plans for the continuance of hunting. The plans are designed to keep the ‘hunting infrastructure’ together. This is essential, and possible.
Is there anything else we can do?
Political
Whilst the Alliance must and will remain apolitical, this does not preclude it from urging its many hundreds of thousands of members and supporters from playing an active part in the run up to the next General Election which is still thought to be May 2005 (a little over two months after the commencement of a hunting ban).
At least 100 constituencies are in rural or semi-rural locations. The results in these constituencies could be significantly affected by coordinated and intelligent activity as well as increased turnout.
It must be right that people who feel that they have been the victims of prejudice and bigotry to make their help available to candidates who are promoting a fairer deal for the countryside. We will extend this principle to our urban friends also.
Civil disobedience
The Alliance cannot and will not condone or encourage law breaking.
However, I am aware that many thousands of people who signed the Hunting Declaration in 2003 may now wish to revisit the terms of the arrangement to which they signed. Details of the Hunting Declaration can be found at www.huntingdeclaration.org
The Countryside Alliance’s position on civil disobedience is also available on our website www.countryside- alliance.org
Does this affect shooting, fishing and the rest of the countryside?
Yes. The Act sets the most dangerous precedent ever for all field sports and rural activities. Anyone whose principal interests are shooting, fishing, falconry or other field sports should pay very close attention to what has happened over the last few days. What the House of Commons has forced onto the statute book is a Bill which is a fundamental attack on a free and tolerant society, and which pays no regard to evidence or the benefits of the activity.
All country sports supporters must stand together more solidly than ever. We must also encourage the rest of the community to stand with us.
Thank you very much indeed for your support on this first stage of our campaign which has now been going for seven years. The next stage takes us to the General Election and the culmination of the legal challenges. The stage after that, if one is needed, will take us right through to the reversal of this legislation, whilst hunting operates under different conditions and circumstances
I want to take this opportunity to explain the next stages of our campaign and the role that all of us have to play in it.
Firstly, it is imperative that we do not see yesterday’s decision as the end of the campaign. It is not. It is the beginning of stage two.
What are we doing about it?
Parliament Act challenge
The Alliance will now launched its challenge to the validity of the 1949 Parliament Act in the names of John Jackson, Patrick Martin and Mair Hughes. Sir Sidney Kentridge QC is leading the case on behalf of the Alliance. I will keep you informed of the timings and whereabouts of court hearings. We would urge members to take an active interest in what is going to be one of the most significant constitutional cases in recent history.
For those who do not know, our case centres on the argument that the 1949 Act was not properly passed, and the Hunting Act is therefore unlawful.
It is essential that there is no behaviour which could be interpreted as an attempt to put pressure on the Court.
Human Rights Act challenge
The second legal case will contend that the Hunting Bill infringes human rights under the European Convention. The incompatibility of the ‘banning’ Bill with human rights has already been accepted in part by the conclusion of the parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
New Research
The Alliance and the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA) will be urgently investigating new independent research to assess the ecological and welfare damage caused by the hunting ban.
How can hunts survive?
The CHA, with whom we are working very closely, are circulating plans for the continuance of hunting. The plans are designed to keep the ‘hunting infrastructure’ together. This is essential, and possible.
Is there anything else we can do?
Political
Whilst the Alliance must and will remain apolitical, this does not preclude it from urging its many hundreds of thousands of members and supporters from playing an active part in the run up to the next General Election which is still thought to be May 2005 (a little over two months after the commencement of a hunting ban).
At least 100 constituencies are in rural or semi-rural locations. The results in these constituencies could be significantly affected by coordinated and intelligent activity as well as increased turnout.
It must be right that people who feel that they have been the victims of prejudice and bigotry to make their help available to candidates who are promoting a fairer deal for the countryside. We will extend this principle to our urban friends also.
Civil disobedience
The Alliance cannot and will not condone or encourage law breaking.
However, I am aware that many thousands of people who signed the Hunting Declaration in 2003 may now wish to revisit the terms of the arrangement to which they signed. Details of the Hunting Declaration can be found at www.huntingdeclaration.org
The Countryside Alliance’s position on civil disobedience is also available on our website www.countryside- alliance.org
Does this affect shooting, fishing and the rest of the countryside?
Yes. The Act sets the most dangerous precedent ever for all field sports and rural activities. Anyone whose principal interests are shooting, fishing, falconry or other field sports should pay very close attention to what has happened over the last few days. What the House of Commons has forced onto the statute book is a Bill which is a fundamental attack on a free and tolerant society, and which pays no regard to evidence or the benefits of the activity.
All country sports supporters must stand together more solidly than ever. We must also encourage the rest of the community to stand with us.
Thank you very much indeed for your support on this first stage of our campaign which has now been going for seven years. The next stage takes us to the General Election and the culmination of the legal challenges. The stage after that, if one is needed, will take us right through to the reversal of this legislation, whilst hunting operates under different conditions and circumstances
Simon Hart - posted by Henry
