VOTE 2010: Arundel and South Downs constituency hustings

The Conservative candidate hoping to retain his Arundel and South Downs seat was met by a fox character which is touring constituencies where hunting is thought by the League Against Cruel Sports to be a key issue.

Mr Herbert, who was shadow environment secretary before Parliament was dissolved, was interviewed by the League team as he arrived for the hustings debate at St Nicholas' Church.

Asked why he supported the reintroduction of hunting with dogs, Mr Herbert said: "My own position has always been that I would vote for repeal of the hunting act.

"I think it's proved to be an unworkable law.

"I would like to put in its place something that better addresses the issues of animal welfare."

Campaigners on video

In a video now posted on YouTube, the three other candidates were also asked for their views on the hunting ban.

Labour's Tim Lunnon and Liberal Democrat Derek Deedman both said they were against the law being repealed, but UKIP candidate Stuart Bower said he supported its repeal.

Ironically, fox hunting was one of few subjects not raised in the wide-ranging 90-minute discussion organised by Arundel's churches and chaired by former town mayor Joe Hayes.

Perhaps the most interesting topic for locals on the night was the question of the Arundel bypass.

Mr Herbert said he believed it was a "serious problem" that Arundel had no bypass, but he warned: "Let's be honest.

"With the fiscal situation this is receding, rather than coming forward.

"But as an MP, I will press for it."

Traffic concerns

Mr Deedman said he would press to see the bypass brought forward, for the benefit of businesses and to reduce the damage to the environment from queueing traffic.

Mr Lunnon said it was important to consider how traffic could be reduced, and Mr Bower suggested switching funding the UK paid into the EU which paid for road schemes in Romania, to highway improvements here.

The government's deficit, quangos, the erosion of Christian values and heritage, Sharia law, climate change and education were among the other themes raised in questions from the floor.

Film of the League Against Cruel Sports Fox Tour can be viewed at www.youtube.com/user/LACS1924.

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