WHEREVER one stands in the political spectrum today, whether it be to the right of Attila the Hun or on the left wing of the Labour Party, few people can be unaware of the sinister and cynical rumblings that are taking place in Parliament. The Anti-Hunting Act may, quite rightly, be of complete unimportance to a great majority of the population, particularly when set beside all the ills that continue to exist after seven years of Socialism. It will inevitably be of considerably more concern to those about to lose their jobs and their accommodation, not to mention a way of life. Nobody, however, should feel comfortable if they disregard with equanimity a situation where, hours after the bill became law, a government minister admitted that animal welfare was little to do with the issue. Rather, Mr Bradley stated, it was a question of social reform, a way of taking another swipe at those who control vast tracts of this country. Whilst, at a pinch, we can perhaps applaud his honesty now, it comes after 700 hours of parliamentary discussion during which not one of the anti-hunting MPs has had the guts to admit that this was their main aim. It is not hard to imagine the utter bitterness and complete revulsion with which country people, and particularly those who are directly and financially affected by this legislation, will now feel. Far more important, however, is to realise that the real aim of this government is to destroy all the traditions and the whole establishment of Britain. Mr Tony Banks states that ?this country? has had enough of ?tradition?. Has he consulted those who, year after year and in the face of great difficulty, continue to run events like the Hatherleigh Carnival or Tavistock Goose Fair? Presumably the Boat Race and the Cheltenham Festival would come to an end if he had his way. The Monarchy would be under severe threat, the regiments would lose their identities, Twickenham would become a dirty word and the shire counties would be emasculated. In short, anything in which people can take a pride would be for the chop. This government?s aims are frightening. It is endeavouring to tear to pieces the very fabric of Britain. In a word, this is communism in disguise. That is what we all, Socialists, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives alike, should be concerned about. Neon Reynolds Close Hill Bridestowe I WAS interested to read the comments of the various hunt masters in the article by Jane Honey on last week?s front page. I agree with Mr Lyon-Smith when he says the anti-hunting bill is not about animal rights. The genuine believers may have saved the fox from being hounded to death, but in reality they have shortened the life expectancy of the fox considerably by exposing them to alternative methods of culling, ie shooting and poisoning. A healthy fox had a more than even chance of escaping the hounds, but what chance do they have against a speeding bullet? As evidenced in Scotland, more foxes are being killed since hunting was banned there than before. No, the League Against Cruel Sports has not done the fox any favours. What the bill will achieve, if not challenged, is to condemn a centuries old tradition of country life to obscurity, mainly because it is seen by certain segments of the population as a pursuit of the landed gentry, an anachronism which has no place in our modern society. Nothing could be further from the truth. There may be certain rituals and dress code associated with hunting, which some people find pompous and pretentious, but other sports and pastimes have their costumes and customs - Morris dancing for example. Even trainspotters wear anoraks! Does this make these pastimes elitist? No, they are part of our national heritage and should be preserved, not ridiculed. We live in a country that has accepted cultures from all parts of the world, is it not a shame that we cannot protect the different cultures within our own society? Tony Rushbrooke Burrator Road Yelverton
