Second response from Conservatives to my report on ritual slaughter

A researcher for Nick Herbert, the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has sent me a nice e-mail following his last, regarding my report on ritual slaughter:

“Dear Mr Orland,

I’m sorry to have left it a while to get back to you – I just wanted to update you on where we are on this issue.

We are currently in the process of meeting relevant bodies where we are discussing farm animal welfare, including the RSPCA, FAWC, religious groups and industry. Your briefing is proving extremely useful in preparing for these meetings.

I will, of course, keep you updated.”

This is welcome news.  It follows my last e-mail, which read thus:

“I do appreciate that you will need to liaise with other teams and co-ordinate a clear position, however this is overdue as there has been ample opportunity for all parties to do this during the last 24 years since the first relevant FAWC report. Hopefully there will not be much you need to discuss as it is obvious that ritual slaughter causes unnecessary suffering which a civilised society must not tolerate, and that consumers should be able to choose whether they buy halal food (i.e. there should be clear labelling).

Nonetheless I know you will need to formalise your policy before announcing it. I only hope it will not be one of continued appeasement, as in the long run this will bad for everyone. The Enlightenment ushered in new values which I would like to see upheld, we don’t want to go into reverse instead, and we don’t want multiple laws in the land, some for some people, others for others.

On a wider note I would say that the Conservatives (and all parties) should state what they know to be right, not what they think people want. Ultimately this gains more respect. Due to Labour’s duplicity and constant appeasement, the BNP are picking up votes in the UK. It will be disastrous if this continues. But currently I can only see UKiP as an alternative, as I have no idea what the Conservatives think about issues like this (or on yob culture or on the overly generous benefits system). As it stands, therefore, the party will not be receiving my vote at the next election.

For a Conservative who sees clearly what is going on in this country I cannot recommend highly enough Theodore Dalyrmple:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1566637953/

I look forward to learning the Conservatives’ position as soon as you have decided on it.

Regards,

Gavin Orland”