MINISTERS WHO DISMISS ANIMAL RIGHTS AS UNIMPORTANT ARE MISSING THE POINT

WHEN a charity like the RSPCA feels the need to express its concern over the government’s performance, it makes you realise just how far David Cameron’s fast and furious cuts programme is hitting.

As an MP, I am inevitably more focused on the damage down to individuals and communities by the government’s flawed economic policy and seemingly shameless attacks on public services.

But as somebody who has had a keen interest in animal welfare throughout my life, I found the RSPCA’s “school report on Government achievement” to be a real eye-opener.

The assessment was unprecedented and the results were shocking.

It scored the government in 11 areas – with just three of them being awarded a ‘C’ or above and none receiving an ‘A’.

For an organisation like the RSPCA to feel strongly enough to take this step is clear evidence that there is a case for the Government to answer.

There will be some Ministers who dismiss this as unimportant in the context of the economy and the Government’s cuts programme. They are missing the point entirely.

Far from being unimportant, it demonstrates precisely how the Government’s focus on its appalling and unsympathetic slash and burn programme means it is taking no account of what is actually happening out there.

Animal welfare is important, and the Government would do well to listen to what the RSPCA is telling them. But as the Prime Minister is a keen fox hunter and most Tory MPs support bloodsports, it is hardly surprising that this Government’s record on animal welfare is so abysmal.

By contrast the last Labour Government stopped giving licenses to test finished cosmetic products; banned fur farming; criminalised hunting with dogs; passed the Animal Welfare Act and ensured no great apes (chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas) were used in experiments in the UK during Labour’s 13 years in office.

Anyone concerned about animal welfare should consider joining Labour to help us resist this cruel coalition and keep CRUELty hisTORY.