It is now 5 years since the Hunting Bill received Royal Assent, ending the cruel practice of hunting with dogs.

Mr Ainger said, "I was the government whip who took the Hunting Act through its House of Commons stages, and seeing it pass into law was one of my proudest achievements.

Since the ban was introduced, dozens of prosecutions have been brought under the Act. Despite the claims of the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance, it is making a real difference. There is no evidence that the doom-laden predictions for rural communities that hunt campaigners made have materialised. We have achieved what we wanted, an end to cruel and unnecessary suffering being inflicted on animals in the name of sport.

And people want it too. According to the results of an Ipsos Mori poll last month, three quarters of people do not want hunting with dogs to be made legal again

But the Hunting Act remains under threat because the Conservative Party have made it clear they want to get rid of it as soon as possible.

"David Cameron spoke up for fox-hunting in his maiden speech, and I find it unbelievable that the Conservatives have pledged to get rid of the fox-hunting ban if they were to win the next election. With all the challenges the world is currently facing, this just doesn't make sense. I am therefore urging local people to sign the petition to help protect the ban, by visiting www.backtheban.com"

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said,

"If you think the Tories have changed, this makes it absolutely clear that their priorities haven't. They know the public doesn't agree with them on this, but they are determined to go ahead if they are given the chance. That's why we need to continue to campaign to stop this barbaric ‘sport' from returning to our land.

Mr Ainger added, "I am giving my absolute, categorical assurance that in the next parliament I will totally oppose any attempt to weaken or repeal the Hunting Act which is a landmark in animal welfare law."

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