What next for the pro-hunting lobby?

Supporters of relaxing the hunting ban are relieved that the government has pulled tomorrow’s vote after it became clear that it would fail. They feel that there is little point in expending political capital on something they will lose. But they are now trying to work out what to do next that will ensure they can get their way eventually.

One of the ideas that is circulating is that the government launch an Animal Welfare Bill at some point, which could address fox hunting as part of a number of issues, including animals in circuses and one of the most popular items in many MPs’ inboxes: chicken welfare (just ask Penny Mordaunt). If this bill is introduced after (or if) Parliament approves English votes for English laws, then the SNP will not be able to help out the anti-hunting cohort of English MPs, and so the measure will pass in a piece of legislation that will deal with a number of other running animal welfare sores.