MPs defy government and agree to ban on use of circus animals

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian

MPs defy government and agree to ban on use of circus animals
Tory MP Mark Pritchard claims ministers tried to bribe him with government job if he dropped Commons motion calling for a ban
Allegra Stratton, political correspondent guardian.co.uk, Thursday 23 June 2011 19.20 BST

MPs have agreed to a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses amid claims from the Conservative MP who led the campaign that Downing Street tried to bribe him with the prospect of a government job to get him to change his position.

Today's decision, which followed an extraordinary debate in the Commons, will not bind the government to any change in the law, but will come as an embarrassment to ministers who maintain there are legal obstacles to a full ban.

MPs decided without a vote to direct the government to introduce a ban from July next year.

Conservative Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wrekin, said in the backbench business debate in parliament that he was told David Cameron would look upon it "dimly" if he pushed for a vote on strengthening protection for animals.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/23/government-mps-circus-animals

[Orrex]

1. This is a terrible development

Where else but a circus can you take kids to see animals tortured and beaten into amusing servitude?

The kids are the ones who will lose out on this deal.

[harmonicon]

2. Just take 'em to walmart, where they can see people treated that way. nt.

[boppers]

3. So, no change in the law, but a huge debate about it?

Maybe they need to ban wild animals from Parliament.