According to an Ipsos Mori poll released on Christmas day, 8 out of 10 Britons are opposed to the law being changed on fox hunting. This did not stop a quarter of a million hunt supporters gathering the next day, however, for biggest event in the hunt calendar, the Boxing day hunts.

I am one of these 8 out of 10 Britons who sees hunting with dogs as cruel, unethical and archaic. Although I do not think the law is enough – I would like to see the legislation strengthened with people prosecuted for any transgressions and an increase in the use of high-tech drones that have already been used to monitor hunts in real time – it is better than nothing.

Although reported that the law is routinely ignored, almost 50 people were found guilty under the hunting act last year. There has also been an increase in those opposed to fox hunting, up 4% from last year.

David Cameron last year renewed his parties commitment to hold a free vote on the law, however this is looking unlikely to be met before the next election. With the public opposed to a repeal, this would be a contentious issue for those in the Conservative Party to support and those in the party dragging it to the right will continue to alienate the electorate.If so they would then be also grouped with UKIP on the issue. Nigel Farage this boxing day greeted hunters at the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent Hunt.

Although the law is not enough and routinely flaunted, I would prefer to live in a country that has this legislation in place and with the convictions that it brings, than to not have legislation at all. Politicians have to see that public opinion supports a ban and to be in favour of its repeal would be political suicide.