Coventry and Warwickshire’s MPs have largely voted in favour of a ban on hunting with dogs as Parliament considered fox-hunting.

The long-running controversy culminated last night in a free vote to decide on legislation coming before the house next year.

There will be several options for MPs to chose from, including an outright ban on fox-hunting and some form of regulation.

Countryside campaigners insist that hunting is the best way to keep the fox population under control. They say the end of hunting will result in thousands of job losses.

Animal rights campaigners, supported by the bulk of urban MPs, say there are more humane methods of keeping foxes under control.

The vote, passing the first stage of the Hunting Bill, was carried by 373 to 158. Out of the local MPs, only Tory Stratford MP John Maples voted against it. 

Coventry and Warwickshire MPs voted accordingly:

For the Bill:

Bob Ainsworth (Lab, Coventry NE), Jim Cunningham (Lab, Coventry S), Andy King (Lab, Rugby and Kenilworth), Mike O’Brien (Lab, North Warwickshire), Bill Olner (Lab, Nuneaton), James Plaskitt (Lab, Warwick and Leamington)

Against the Bill:

John Maples (Con, Stratford)