Disgrace (From Penarth Times)

Disgrace

SIR - I attended the Labour Party Conference on behalf of the Countryside Alliance. The event cost us several thousand pounds for the chance to engage in meaningful debate with delegates and MPs. While there delegates accused me of being a paedophile, a pervert, child molester and a racist. Our stand was vandalised, defaced and on the third night was completely wrecked, inside what was supposedly the most secure area in the UK. When we complained to conference organisers we were told that we probably wouldn't be welcome next year due to the large number of complaints received - democracy in action?

What other minority in this country would the Deputy Prime Minister refer to as having "contorted faces?" The conference proved to me yet again that the political argument over hunting has nothing to do with animal welfare, it is about people-hating. Is it normal behaviour to walk up to a person you have never met and accuse them of being a pervert, child molester, paedophile or racist just because they support an activity you don't like? Following the conference I am more determined than ever to fight Labour's unjust, unprincipled and spiteful Hunting Bill. Some Labour MPs may believe that these obscene accusations are true but voters in this country are not so naive. It is appalling that any political party feels that it can justify treating a minority in this way.

Darren Hughes Countryside Alliance Kennington Rd London By email: darren-hughes@countryside-alliance.or