News from Welsh Labour

“Tories more interested in fox hunting than economy” claims AM

Wrexham’s Labour Assembly Member has accused the Conservative Party of being more interested in bringing back fox hunting, rather than addressing the serious issues that currently affect the people of Wales.

Lesley Griffiths AM, made her remarks following a Question in the National Assembly to the Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, in which she raised the pledge made by the Conservative Party to overturn the 2004 law which banned fox hunting.

In her Question to the Minister, Lesley Griffiths said:

“You may be aware that the so-called repeal committee is a Tory-led group chaired by the shadow Minister for Justice, Edward Garnier, and serves no other purpose than to overturn the Hunting Act 2004 and reintroduce to the Welsh countryside the cruel and wholly unnecessary practice of hunting with dogs.

“I believe that were we unfortunate enough to have a Conservative Government at Westminster, it would want to reintroduce that very cruel practice. Are you having any discussions with your UK counterparts to ensure that it is not reintroduced in Wales, and that the views of most Members in this Chamber and of the Welsh public are taken into account?”

In response, Elin Jones confirmed the Welsh Government were not looking to re-introduce fox hunting in Wales:

“I can confirm that I have not had any discussions with UK Ministers, or other Ministers within the UK, on the repeal of the Hunting Act. I have not followed the work of the repeal committee, and you will know, Lesley, that the One Wales Government does not have a policy on hunting.”

Commenting after her Question, Lesley Griffiths said:

“Its hard to believe that at a time when all politicians should be addressing the problems of dealing with the effects of the global economic downturn, the Welsh Conservatives are more interested in re-introducing fox hunting into our countryside.

“You don’t hear of them forming a Committee to address the effect of the downturn on the Welsh economy – yet they are totally focused on repealing the Hunting Act. I think this tells people all they need to know about Tory priorities for Wales.”

Other news from Welsh Labour

• AM: Time to celebrate a People's History of Wales - 26 February 2010
• AM welcomes safer rail travel in North Wales - 23 February 2010
• Wales Boiler Scrappage Scheme announced - 11 February 2010