Labour focuses on political priorities

In the lead up to the general election, the political parties published their manifestos and all eyes were on Labour, given the opinion polls. Manifesto commitments are considered binding and those published by the majority party in government tend to find their way into legislative proposals at some point. 

The King’s Speech is written by the Government and delivered by the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament, where plans for legislation and other actions are announced. This year’s King’s Speech, on 17 July, was the longest in over two decades and covered some 40 bills on a wide range of themes including economy, education, crime, devolution, health, housing, transport, immigration and workers’ rights. 

The legislative agenda of the new Government is to tackle key issues for the economy and society, and there is no mention of Labour’s manifesto commitments on animal welfare, which included bans on hunting trophy imports, snares and trail-hunting. However, be mindful that political parties are coalitions of diverse interest groups and those seeking ideologically motivated bans on countryside activities will continue to lobby for them. 

Private Members’ Bills 

The legislative plans in the King’s Speech are not definitive, and at some point, we could see Government Bills or Private Members’ Bills introduced on animal welfare themes, which could impact on shooting and conservation. We await the outcome of several firearms-related consultations undertaken during the previous government. 

In August last year a consultation on firearms licensing ended, which included proposals on the length of certificates and the use of digital markers. A consultation from February to April proposed taking moderators off ticket. If that were implemented it would reduce the workload of firearms licensing teams. 

At the same time there was also a call for evidence on controls for the use of crossbows, with licensing mooted. If that were implemented it would increase the workload of those licensing teams. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would consider the findings of the review in the wake of the recent horrific crossbow killings. 

When the Home Office firearms licensing fees review resumes, BASC will argue that full cost recovery (News, 19 June) must be matched by dramatic increases in the efficiency and effectiveness of service in delivering for those who shoot and in protecting public safety. It will be the new Policing Minister who will make decisions impacting on firearms law and ownership. Labour’s Diane Johnson has been given the role and we have requested a meeting. 

A Crime and Policing Bill was mentioned in the King’s Speech and background briefing notes state there will be a ban on “ninja swords and other lethal blades”. We are alive to the danger that knives and bladed tools used in connection with shooting and conservation could be swept up in broad-brush bans and we will brief ministers and MPs accordingly. 

The Labour manifesto also contained a commitment to promote biodiversity and protect landscapes and wildlife. The King’s Speech contained little on Government plans for nature conservation. However, Steve Reed, Defra Secretary of State, has committed to nature recovery as one of the department’s five core priorities (News, 17 July). 

Minister for Nature 

Mary Creagh, former chairman of the Environment Audit Committee, has been appointed Minister for Nature. As such, her responsibilities include biodiversity, environmental targets, land use and National Parks. 

We will see some more detailed plans on the conservation front soon and BASC will continue to highlight the vital role of shooting in protecting and enhancing nature. Shooting providers and volunteers in the UK carry out £500 million worth of conservation work, equivalent to 26,000 full-time jobs and 14 million workdays each year. That input is far greater than any of the conservation agencies and myriad charities, and that is something you can tell your MP.