Jonathan Todd

Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, is calling upon constituents to not vote for candidates who would repeal the Fox Hunting Act 2004.

The League Against Cruel Sports visited Westmorland and Lonsdale last week and neither Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, nor Gareth McKeever, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, would talk with them, either in person or on the telephone, about their support for a repeal of the Fox Hunting Act 2004.  Nor have either of these candidates responded to the question posed by Mr Todd in a letter which he sent to them, on the day which the General Election was called, asking them to set out their position on the Fox Hunting Act 2004.

Mr Todd said:

“Fox hunting is an issue that divides local opinion, but I will be straight with you: I would never vote to repeal the Hunting Act 2004. It has been a success and is supported by the clear majority of people in this country. This is an important difference of opinion between me and both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates, who are in favour of the backward step of repealing the Act.

“I am opposed to cruelty to animals and that is why I am opposed to repealing the Fox Hunting Act 2004. It is regrettable that both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates are both in favour of the return of this cruelty and appear to be hiding from debate on this issue.”

Harold Taylor, born and bred in the local countryside and a passionate opponent of fox hunting, said:

“Repealing the fox hunting ban would be a total disaster. It would open the door to the return of other so called field sports, including otter hunting. It would also make a badger cull more likely, as other forms of animal cruelty would be back on the agenda. The Conservative position is no surprise but Tim Farron has been brain washed into thinking that repealing the fox hunting ban and a badger cull are good ideas. There has never been a case in Cumbria of a badger having TB.”

The League Against Cruel sports have made a video about their visit to Westmorland and Lonsdale in which Mr Farron and Mr McKeever fail to answer their questions. This can be seen here.

Mr. Todd is pictured with Mr. Taylor below.