League celebrates its centenary in Parliament

The League Against Cruel Sports marked its centenary with a reception in parliament, uniting supporters, campaigners, and policymakers to celebrate a century of progress while focusing on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. While the League’s legacy includes landmark achievements like the Hunting Act 2004, the event emphasized the urgent need for continued action to protect animals from cruelty.

The reception was buoyed by a strong turnout of MPs and peers, whose optimism and enthusiasm for strengthening animal welfare protections were palpable. Hunting remains a pressing concern, with a recent government pledge to strengthen the law placing it firmly on the political agenda. Snaring was also a hot topic, with many MPs voicing their commitment to tackling this cruel practice. Encouragingly, several parliamentarians shared how the passion of their constituents for greater animal welfare protections continues to influence their priorities.

Speeches from key figures, including Dan Norris MP, Rachael Maskell MP, Sir Roger Gale MP, and Baroness Natalie Bennett, thanked campaigners such as the League’s fantastic supporters and underscored the need for urgent reforms. Rachael Maskell made it clear that while the Hunting Act was a monumental step forward, the past 20 years have revealed its shortcomings. Loopholes have allowed illegal hunting practices, such as fox hunting disguised as “trail hunting,” to persist. Sir Roger expressed that the Hunting Act was the best legislation that MPs could achieve in 2004 but that it clearly now was not enough. Baroness Bennet urged the UK government to follow the lead of Wales and Scotland in banning cruel snares and Dan Norris expressed that how we treat animals is a test for how compassionate society is, urging increased protections.

MPs in attendance were united in their determination to close these loopholes that allow for illegal hunting and strengthen enforcement to ensure that hunting with hounds is consigned to the history books.

The centenary event was not just a celebration of past victories but a rallying cry for a future free from cruelty. It showcased the power of collaboration between campaigners and policymakers in creating a society where wildlife is respected and protected.

As the League embarks on its second century, its mission remains unwavering: to build on its achievements and ensure that cruelty to animals in the name of sport is consigned to history once and for all.