Saturday, 5 July, 2003, 16:29 BST

Viewpoint: Fox Hunting

So, if we see any fox hunters, I’ll blow the horn, and you set the dogs on them..? Brian, Smethwick Save The Foxes League

Parliament recently passed a bill requesting the total ban of fox hunting throughout the UK for the third time.

There had been talk of toning down from a full ban, but this idea was quashed at the last minute in a widely-publicised, high-key move; “There can be no compromise in this bill,” explained the Prime Minister, “If we don’t make a big deal of it, we can’t possibly distract from the huge Alistair Campbell, WMD lies thing.” Viewpoint here surmises the arguments for and against. Or some of them, at least. However, in an attempt to remain impartial, we shan’t use it as a distraction from the Campbell lies thing.

Diana, shop owner, UK
“Banning fox hunting would be the stupidest thing Tony Blair has ever done. Apart from Foundation Hospitals. And SATs for 5-year-olds. And reforming the Lords. Oh, and Iraq, who could forget that?! Well, banning hunting isn’t especially stupid for Tony, but I wish he wouldn’t go on and keep embarassing the government, that’s Alistair’s job.”

Simon, stockbroker, London
“I’m sincerely anti-hunt. I’ve never seen one, never heard one, and I’m not exactly sure what a hunt comprises. But apparently it’s very mean to lovely vermin, and when I tell the ladies about my sincere objection on moral and ethical grounds, they’re always impressed.”

Peter, retired, Ludlow, UK
“Foxhunting is part of the British way of life. If the Government have the gall to ban it, then I shall not only continue to hunt, regardless of a ridiculous new law, but also break every other law available. That ought to show them I won’t take being governed lying down!”

David, gamekeeper, St. Albans
“As a gamekeeper it’s been my job to care for hunting dogs for years. If this ban goes through I’ll lose my job in keeping with the hundreds made redundant every day! Well I’m not standing for that! If those namby-pamby Animal Rights hippies get foxhunting banned, I will personally shoot every dog in my care. That’ll show those lefties who’s boss!”

Beth, age 7, Birmingham
“I fink it’s very mean to the wuvley little foxes. The norty men with their norty red coats and the big scary horses chase after lovely Mr Fox and then eat him for dinner, even though he’s done nuffin wrong! Therefore, I believe that the only viable option is for the Commons to force the bill through the Lords under the terms of the 1911 Parliament act.”

Harry, factory worker, Newcastle
“Quite frankly, I don’t care if hunting is banned or not. I accept people on both sides of the argument have stupidly entrenched views but I don’t see why. If hunting is banned, then people will have to stop hunting, some foxes will grow old and die, and some people will lose their jobs. If hunting is not banned, people will be able to carry on hunting, some foxes will still grow old and die, and people will lose their jobs anyway. Where’s the big problem? Hurry up and legalise cannabis so I don’t keep getting arrested!”