Victory for common sense on circus animal ban

On an extraordinary day in Westminster on Thursday 23 June, the Tory-led government tried and failed to defeat a cross-party Motion directing them to ban wild animals in circuses.

Mary Creagh MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

“The public will be absolutely delighted that MPs from all parties have stood up to the Tory-led Government on this issue to achieve such a fantastic result. The vote brings to end 48 hours of chaos and confusion from the Government about their position on a ban. It is extraordinary that David Cameron used such bully boy tactics to threaten his own MPs and tried to impose a 3-line Whip on the vote.

“We look forward to a ban being implemented in the next 12 months and an end to the suffering of wild animals in circuses.”

The success of the motion, and the Tory tactics which failed to defeat it, have featured heavily in the news. Read more here:

www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/victory-in-the-campaign-to-ban-circus-animals-2302073.html

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/23/government-mps-circus-animals

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/06/24/circus-animals-banned-amid-david-cameron-bullying-row-115875-23222819/

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13895186

Watch the full debate here:

www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx

Read the transcript here:

www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110623/debtext/110623-0003.htm