[Donut]

Now they've invaded the floor of the House of Commons as the MP's are debating the ban.

On the radio hunt supporters are calling for a Civil War. Well we've already fought that one - and WE won it. I'm up for another one!

I am absolutely seething!!!

"If MPs back a ban, the Bill is due to pass through all of its House of Commons stages on Wednesday.

The little-used Parliament Act will be used to override peers opposition to a ban, which could be deferred to 2006.

Hare coursing would be banned three months after the Bill is passed.


Pro-hunt supporters began gathering early on Wednesday for a mass protest organised by the Countryside Alliance outside Parliament.

Scotland Yard arrested two women at 0600 BST on suspicion of obstructing the highway after nine vehicles, believed to be horse boxes, were abandoned in Parliament Square.

Hundreds of police, including a number in riot gear, are on duty to stop protesters spilling out of the square. There have been scuffles between police and some protesters, with some missiles thrown.

Many of the protesters were wearing T-shirts picturing Tony Blair with devil horns and "I'll keep hunting" slogans.

'Not the end'

James Edwards, 20, from Exmoor, told BBC News Online: "We are trying to get through to the MPs not to let their personal feelings get in the way of the real decisions they should be making.

"They should think about the long-term effects."

Warwickshire hunt follower Robert Pugh, 56, said the peaceful protest was aimed at preventing a ban but hunting would continue in any case.

"This might be a tough time for us but hunting will not finish," he said.

Ministers are proposing a motion to delay enforcement of any ban until the end of July or beginning of August 2006 after backbench pressure.

Even if it is backed by MPs, the two year delay cannot be forced through against Lords' wishes, which would leave the government with the choice of an immediate ban or no ban at all.

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said it would be "perverse" for the Lords and hunting supporters to oppose a delay.

He told BBC News 24: "We want to give a bit of space for common sense for people to back off, to look at re-homing of the dogs they have at the moment for hunting purposes, to look at changing to drag hunting, to other business activities."

And the prime minister's spokesman said Mr Blair believed that, after seven years trying to find a way to resolve the issue and find a middle way, he recognised that had not succeeded and it was time to live up to two manifesto commitments to give MPs a free vote on the issue.

Some critics say the delay is to avoid pro-hunt protests in the build-up to the election expected next spring.

The minister said the election gave opponents of a ban the chance to register their protest at the ballot box rather than on the streets.

MPs spent two-and-half hours debating the procedure, which is now going to votes before they start discussing the ban itself.

No date has been given for a Lords debate, but this is expected to take place in October.

The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance says it makes no difference if there was a delay before the Bill's implementation and plans to mount a legal challenge if the ban is approved using the Parliament Act.

The chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, Douglas Batchelor, said that the return of the bill to the Commons was "the high point of our 80-year campaign",

He said he "simply cannot see any good reason" for a delay on implementation of a ban.

At prime minister's questions, Tory leader Michael Howard said Tony Blair was sending a message that hunting was his priority at a time when crime was up, taxes were rising and the MRSA superbug was a major problem in British hospitals.

Mr Blair did not mention hunting but said he was proud of Labour's record on crime, law and order, education and health"

[ 09-15-2004, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: Donut ]