Politics and shooting!

[Simonix]

Ok, I know this might be opening a large can of worms, and I really don't want this thread to start a massive argument between forum members! But here we go....

Can anyone give me a general overview of the plans/future of shooting, including lead shot, licence renewal costs, etc, for the main political parties leading up to the big vote in May?

I've tried looking around online on various political party websites, but there isn't much to read!

I ask this because ultimately shooting/hunting is a big part of my social life, and it will therefore probably effect my choice of vote in the general election.

I will say again, I don't want this to be a slanging match about the different parties, I just want to know what their possible plans are for us shooters...

 

[Nick Selby]

I doubt it will be high priority on any of the parties manifestos...... Yes there are lots of sgc holdersvoters but I don't think any of the parties really want to associate themselves with shooting sports unfortunately.

 

[Simonix]

I had heard some rumours that certain parties were trying to "win" votes from non-shooters by suggesting massive increases in costs to licence holders to pay for gun crime!

It's just that if a party would like all guns to be banned full stop, then I obviously won't be voting for them! Haha!

 

[westley]

Do as I do, wait until you get the chance to speak to your chosen candidate and put that question to THEM. Their reply to that question severely affects MY vote.

 

[shortlegs]

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Hi Simonix
This may give you and idea.. Hope the links work

 

[Simonix]

Fantastic Shortlegs!

Just the sort of thing I was looking for!

 

[Simonix]

Unfortunately the BASC website doesn't have a run down on what different candidates responses were.

 

[shortlegs]

Hi Simon

If you click on the link where it says if you havent used the site you can find it here it takes you to  page where you can enter your post code and see the response from your local MPs and also gives you the option to email them to get a personal response to you questions. Or you can email the political dept at marford mill and they may supply you with the information as Tinker has said.

Hope this helps

 

[Simonix]

Brill, thanks!

 

[Dunc]

Unfortunately the BASC website doesn't have a run down on what different candidates responses were.

It does.  Enter your postcode and it tells you.

 

[Dunc]

You beat me to it short legs :wink:

Speak to Basc. Last time they had a link site that showed you how your MP voted and stood on shooting topics.

...and you beat me as well.  Just about to post and saw you'd got there first!  Well done.

 

[GrrClark]

From a layman's perspective and very much a 30,000 ft overview, based on canvassing my own MP/prospective MP's and just general background reading.

Green - very much anti game shooting, claim to support competition shooting, but at a significant increase in license costs

Labour - pro licence cost increases, which is policy, and promote the image of shooting as the preserve of the wealthy so see anti shooting as a vote winner in the non shooting working class community.  Slightly tending toward anti shooting.

Lib Dems - tending toward anti shooting

Conservative - largely ambivalent, tending toward pro shooting amongst the party leadership.

UKIP - As Conservative

SNP - strongly tending toward anti shooting

As for lead shot I don't have a clue how it will go, I suspect that lead has such emotion connected to it that if any party saw it as a way to win popularity that they would take advantage regardless of the science.  A bit like the policies around cannabis use, but that is a different conversation entirely.

 

[Jan Powell]

Put simply, the Conservatives are the most 'pro' shooting party, but even their enthusiasm is lukewarm. Like all parties they'd further restrict shooting and firearms possession if they thought it politically expedient.

I'm sorry to say, whatever party is in power, clay shootings days are numbered in this country, at least in its current form. Regulation, the green agenda, housing demand, environmental and noise complaints, economic pressures and a lead shot ban are just a few of its future challenges.