Neil Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, has called on the government to stick to its election promise to strengthen the laws around fox hunting before this year’s season begins.
The Hunting Act of 2004 banned hunting mammals with dogs in England and Wales. This means hunting foxes, deer, hares, and mink is all illegal.
However, the MP has pointed out that the lax law means that fox hunters are getting away with it under different names.
According to the League Against Cruel Sports, the Hunting Act has protected animals, and the courts have convicted some people of hunting crimes. However, there seem to be problems enforcing the act, with many illegal hunters getting away with it, unpunished.
Failed election promises
Labour’s 2024 election manifesto promised to strengthen the Hunting Ban. However, nothing has changed, and another hunting season is fast approaching.
It makes me think this is another insincere promise, the same as Tony Blair’s government, who deliberately passed a weak law so the hunting monarchy, judges and other freemasons could continue their blood sports. Will this ever change? Can Labour be trusted?
— S-Bruce (@s_bruce_alba) October 8, 2025
Earlier this year, the League Against Cruel Sports released figures on the scale of illegal fox hunting in the UK.
In the League’s end-of-season report, there were nearly 1,600 incidents. These consisted of 474 reports relating to suspected illegal hunting. This includes 397 reports of foxes being chased, and 1,117 reports of hunt havoc.
The League’s figures also revealed that the West of England was a particular fox hunting hot spot, with Gloucestershire, Dorset and Somerset recording the highest figures of all the counties in England and Wales.
Duncan-Jones’ letter to the government ends:
It is vital this legislation is brought forward with urgency before another season of unnecessary suffering. I also urge a collaborative approach with experts and charities to ensure that any resulting measures are watertight and finally put a stop to this barbaric practice once and for all.
Feature image via Zdeněk Macháček/ Unsplash
By HG
This post was originally published on Canary.