Timeline: Labour and hunting
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http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homea...650062,00.html

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July 3 1998
Labour MP Michael Foster's wild mammals (hunting with dogs) bill
blocked in parliament by opposition filibustering.=20
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July 8 1999
On BBC's Question Time, Tony Blair promises to ban hunting before the
next election. This comment appears to catch ministers by surprise.
Blair makes new hunt ban pledge
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September 27 1999
Tony Blair backs off his committment on foxhunting, suggesting that
the Queen's speech in the autumn would not mention the issue.=20
Retreat signalled on hunt ban pledge
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September 28 1999
Pro-hunt protestors demonstrate outside the Labour party conference.
Hunt supporters storm Bournemouth
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November 11 1999
Jack Straw asks Lord Burns, a former Treasury civil servant, to chair
an inquiry into foxhunting.=20
No hunting ban before inquiry, Straw says
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June 15 2000
The Burns report is released, concluding that foxhunting "seriously
compromises the welfare of the fox".=20
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July 7 2000
Jack Straw, the home secretary, puts forward a bill with five
alternatives. They a a wide-ranging ban on foxhunting; the status
quo; a more limited ban; creating a new licensing authority; or
allowing local referendums on the issue.
Straw offers five choices over future of fox hunting
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October 20 2000
The Countryside Alliance announces a pro-hunt demonstration for the
following March and says it expects to attract up to 600,000
protesters.
600,000 of us will march on London, Countryside Alliance vows
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December 8 2000
Hunting bill comes before parliament.=20
MPs given chance to ban fox hunting
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January 17 2001
MPs back the ban (399 to 155) on foxhunting, while rejecting proposals
for licenced hunting (382 to 182).=20
MPs vote for ban on fox hunting
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=46ebruary 22 2001
=46oot and mouth forces a blanket ban on hunting
=46oot and mouth halts hunting season
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=46ebruary 26 2001
The Countryside Alliance call off their March demonstration after the
outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
Rural alliance calls off march on London
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March 11 2001
Two Labour MPs are found on "hit list" of anti-hunt extremists a month
after a suspicious fire broke out in pro-hunt MP Jeff Rooker's Commons
office.
Two pro-hunting Labour MPs on extremists' hit list
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March 27 2001
The House of Lords throws out Downing Street's favoured option of
licensed hunting (202 to 122) and also a total ban (317 to 68), while
voting to keep the status quo (249 to 108). The bill is lost as a
result since the general election prevents further progress.
Peers vote against fox hunting ban
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May 16 2001
Labour's election manifesto promises a free vote, saying parliament
will be allowed to reach a conclusion on hunting in the next
parliament.=20
Labour launches 'ambitious' manifesto
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June 20 2001
A commitment to introduce the bill is included in the Queen's speech.
Hunting in the Queen's speech
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December 17 2001
Hunting with hounds resumes after 10-month ban because of foot and
mouth disease.=20
=46ox hunting returns to countryside
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January 30 2002
Blair sidesteps the issue at prime minister's questions when asked to
honour his election manifesto commitment and reintroduce the bill. In
response, the anti-hunt lobby threaten to launch a campaign against
the prime minister.=20
Anti-hunt lobby gangs up on Blair
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=46ebruary 13 2002
The Scottish parliament votes to ban foxhunting but pro-hunt
campaigners immediately threaten court action to overturn the new law.
Scotland bans fox-hunting
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=46ebruary 17 2002
Margaret Beckett, the minister for rural affairs, repeats the
government's promise to hold vote on hunting in the current parliament
but does not say when it will take place.=20
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=46ebruary 27 2002
At prime minister's questions Tony Blair confirms that there will be a
vote on hunting. The next day's papers set out the government's plans
to hold a vote before the Easter recess. The move is seen as a reward
to Labour MPs for their support for the transport minister, Stephen
Byers.=20
New move to outlaw hunting
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March 18 2002
The government delays other legislation to make time for a Commons
vote on a hunting bill. MPs once more choose between three options - a
full ban, restrictions on hunting or no change. The government signals
that it now backs the middle way and amid signs that ministers will
attempt to persuade the House of Lords to back the legislation.=20
In the vote, MPs - including the prime minister, voting on the issue
for the first time since the general election - back a full ban on
hunting by 386 to 175 votes. Support for the middle way falls - and Mr
Blair abstains - but the government makes it clear that this is now
its favoured option.=20
MPs to vote on hunt ban options
Blair to vote for full hunting ban

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March 19 2002
The debate moves to the House of Lords, where peers back the middle
way option - continuing hunting under license - by 366 to 59 votes.
This overturns the poposal's heavy defeat in 2001. The Lords again
reject the move to ban hunting fully - this year by 331 to 74 votes.=20
Meanwhile senior backbencher Gerald Kaufman threatens to withdraw the
Labour party whip if the will of the Commons is not upheld and a ban
not introduced.
Peers back middle way

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March 21 2002
Rural affairs minister Alan Michael announces the government is
willing to use the Parliament Act to override opposition to a ban in
the House of Lords. This placates Mr Kaufman but provokes fury among
peers. Labour backbenchers and animal rights groups are also angered
by government plans for a six-month consultation period aimed at
reaching a compromise between both houses before a ban could be pushed
through.
Commons to force through hunting ban
=46urious peers lose last chance to veto hunt ban
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March 30 2002
Ministers are still working on a compromise over foxhunting despite
the huge majority of MPs voting that it should be banned.
Ministers seek compromise on hunting
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July 31 2002
Scottish pro-hunting campaigners lose their legal battle to block the
ban on foxhunting north of the border, but immediately vow to fight on
"in every court in the land". The court of session ruling clears the
way for the introduction of the Scottish ban on August 1.
Scottish hunters lose bid to block ban
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September 9 2002
A three-day public consultation begins at Westminster, organised with
the cooperation of pro- and anti-hunting pressure groups. The rural
affairs minister, Alun Michael, dismisses fears that the government
has already made up its mind to introduce a ban and says the hearing
should provide a "rational approach" to future legislation.
Public hearing on hunting under way
'Gradual' action on hunting advised
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September 22 2002
=46our hundred thousand demonstrators march through central London to
protest against a ban on foxhunting and to increase awareness of rural
issues.
400,000 bring rural protest to London
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October 3 2002
The Labour party conference backs a call for the government to force
through a ban on foxhunting even if the House of Lords rejects it.
Call to push through hunting ban wins backing
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October 9 2002
A Conservative government would give MPs a chance to reverse any ban
on foxhunting, says Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith.
Duncan Smith: Tories would reverse hunting ban
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November 12 2002
A rapper whose song was claimed as the anthem of the Countryside
Alliance condemns bloodsports and accuses the campaign group of
exploiting him.
Rapper denies fox hunting support
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November 13 2002
The government paves the way for a fresh parliamentary clash over
foxhunting with the promise of legislation, but no confirmation of a
ban.=20
=46ight for outright ban left to MPs
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November 14 2002
More than 160 MPs sign a Commons motion backing an outright ban on
foxhunting, amid growing confidence from campaigners that they will be
able to get the measure on to the statute book by early 2004.
Hunting ban motion signed by 160 MPs
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December 3 2002
The government try to reconcile the highly polarised public debate
over hunting with dogs, by offering MPs and peers a compromise that
recognises both cruelty to animals and the utility of life in the
countryside.
Government hunts for a compromise
=46ull text: the hunting bill
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December 16 2002
While police and pro-hunt protesters clash outside Westminster, MPs
inside vote 368 to 155 in favour of the "third way" - banning stag
hunting and hare coursing, but allowing foxhunting in some areas.
Pro-hunt protesters try to storm parliament
New attempt to break hunting stalemate
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December 26 2003
Tony Blair indicates he will listen to Labour rebels arguing for a
complete ban and allow amendments that would make it all but
impossible to continue hunting for sport.
Hunting compromise woos Labour rebels
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January 16 2003
Labour MPs vote to amend the hunting bill so that hunts will only be
allowed if needed to control pests.
Bill would ban fox hunting for sport
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=46ebruary 27 2003
The hunting bill leaves the committee stage with the so-called
"utility" and "cruelty" tests toughened up. Pro-hunt campaigners claim
the bill will effect a ban by the back door.
Anti-hunting MPs give bill new teeth
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June 18 2003
Downing Street succumbs to backbench Labour pressure and agrees to
give MPs the chance to reinstate an outright ban in the government's
foxhunting legislation.=20
No 10 to allow vote on outright ban on hunting
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June 29 2003
Environment secretary Margaret Beckett tells Labour opponents of fox
hunting they will lose the chance to outlaw most hunts if they support
an amendment calling for a total ban.
MPs warned against 'wrecking' foxhunting bill
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homea...988527,00.html
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June 30 2003
Once again, the Commons votes overwhelmingly for a total ban on
hunting causing further embarrassment to Tony Blair. Procedural
wrangling means that MPs only vote on Tony Banks' rebel amendment to
introduce a total ban after the government motion on licensing hunts
is withdrawn at the last minute. Seven cabinet members joined over 300
Labour MPs to vote in favour of the ban. The bill returns to
committee.
MPs back total ban on foxhunting
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homea...988611,00.html
'Seize the moment' rallying cry to anti-hunting MPs
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homea...988527,00.html
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"Man is the most dangerous, destructive, selfish,=20
and unethical animal on earth."=20
Michael W. Fox, Scientific Director and former=20
Vice President,=20
Humane Society of the United States.

"The life of an ant and that of my child=20
should be granted equal consideration,=20
for what does it really pain man to do so"
Pete Who. 2003=20

"Look deep into the eyes of any animal, and then=20
for a moment, trade places,=20
their life becomes as precious as yours and you=20
become as vulnerable as them.=20
Now smile if you believe all animals deserve=20
our respect and our protection, for in a way,=20
they are us, and we are them."
-Philip Ochoa Board Member, ALL FOR ANIMALS=20