The Observer The Countryside Alliance is to use images of child abuse victims and violence against the elderly in a controversial advertising campaign aimed at stopping MPs voting to ban hunting next month. The high-risk advert uses black and white images of what have been described as 'depressing contemporary images'. A child being abused by an adult is followed by a pensioner cowering behind a door, a syringe full of drugs and a homeless person on the streets.
All cruelty is immoral, whether to adults, children or animals.
The Alliance is concerned that a majority of MPs is going to vote for a ban when the issue comes before the Commons next month. MPs will be given a free vote on three options - an outright ban, retention of the status quo or a 'middle way' that will allow hunting but with tougher restrictions and regulations. On the second reading of the Bill only a handful of Labour MPs voted against the move towards legislation, increasing concern among the pro-hunt lobby that hunting will soon be outlawed. But the Alliance received a boost when the Home Secre tary, Jack Straw, said he would not vote for an outright ban but would push for greater regulation. It seems now that even the Home Secretary realises there is no case to ban hunting, confirming the findings of the Government's own inquiry into hunting earlier this year,' Butler said.