With the General Election looming, there has never been a better time to let the politicians know that we aren't just anglers, but voters, too. A clear statement of commitment to recreational fishing is what is needed. We are responsible for a massive industry and our rights as anglers need to be effectively managed, not just swept under the carpet because of more 'fashionable' sports! Please take a moment to fill in the following petition, which will be handed to the leader of each of the main three political parties. (Only your Name, Town and County will be displayed on the petition page. Your comments and email address will be held but hidden in the database).

"Dear Party Leader,
I am an angler and a voter and, as such, urge you to consider the rights of anglers and the future of our sport when electioneering.
If I am to vote for you, I will need to see a firm commitment to angling from your party and urge you strongly to supply a copy of this to Anglers' Net (www.anglers-net.co.uk) for publication prior to the election.
Not only is this in the interests of my own chosen sport, but it also supports a vast industry, employing thousands of people.
My vote counts. Will it count towards your total?"

RESPONSE FROM THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY

William Hague has asked me to thank you for your e-mail and to reply on his behalf.

Angling is not only a sport, but a way of life for millions of people. It is also a multi-billion pound industry which makes a significant contribution to the national economy and is absolutely essential to the local economy in many rural areas. The Conservative Party unreservedly endorses the importance of angling and will defend it from its enemies.

Tony Blair’s cynical manipulation of the hunting issue means that angling is next on Labour’s hit list. We condemn intimidation and violence from these so-called animal right activists and will take firm action against it. We will protect angling from those that want to ban it.

We believe that angling deserves to be considered on its merits and will ensure that angling projects always have fair access to Government grants. Under the next Conservative Government, organisations that run or wish to run projects that are primarily involved in regeneration, but that involve sport (or the arts), will be able to bid to the National Lottery for funding, this will include projects aimed at opening new fisheries, especially in urban areas, to increase angling opportunities in deprived communities. If this requires a rewrite of Government guidelines, they will be rewritten. We think many councils will want to include angling in their recreational development proposals. Our proposals for new 'Blue Belt' protection will recognise the importance of sports like angling.

The work of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group will be the foundation of the salmon and freshwater fisheries policy of a Conservative Government. It is amazing that the Labour Government didn’t even take the trouble to debate the Review in the House of Commons. Salmon stocks must be preserved. A Conservative Government will take the recommendations of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group seriously and take the measures necessary to save our salmon.

Conservatives believe that any strategy developed on fish stocks must include input from angling and conservation groups, rather than the Environment Agency alone. In the end politicians must have the courage to make responsible decisions on the basis of scientific fact.

We will take all the actions necessary to save Britain’s freshwater and saltwater fish. There is not much point in imposing close seasons if other activities are allowed to go ahead and damage fish stocks anyway. We will support constraint on all water based recreational activity where it is considered necessary to apply close seasons for fishing to protect fish stocks or wildlife. Also our proposals for ‘Blue Belts’ will protect rivers and lakes from damaging development.

Finally, Conservatives recognise the importance of the recreational sea angling sector during the renegotiation of the fisheries policy. As you may know, Conservatives are committed to re-establishing British control over British waters, up to the 200-mile territorial limit. This is the only chance that British sea anglers have of getting the influence that they deserve over the management and conservation of marine fisheries. The alternative is the ongoing destruction of our fishing stocks under the wasteful, infective  and unjust Brussels regime.

Thank you again for taking the trouble to write.

With best wishes,

Ian Philps
Correspondence Secretary

RESPONSE FROM THE LABOUR PARTY

Dear Elton,

Thank you very much for your last e-mail, we have now received your petition, and it has been passed on to the policy specialists.

The Labour Party's position, as explained in the manifesto is "We have no intention whatsoever of placing restrictions on the sports of angling and shooting."

I hope this categorical statement will satisfy you and your colleagues.

We appreciate the time and commitment taken to let us know your views and if you would like to discuss them further do please ring us on 08705 900 200 (7am-10pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday and Sunday). Our vital task now is to return the government for a second term and we would urge you to support us in this. Your contribution is essential in meeting the
challenges that lie ahead.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Taylor
Communications Unit
Labour Party
www.labour.org.uk
08705 900 200
info@new.labour.org.uk
Labour - Ambitions for Britain

RESPONSE FROM THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Dear Mr Murphy,

Thank you for your recent letter about angling, which I received a few days ago. I am sorry it has taken me a few days to get back to you.

Liberal Democrats recognise the importance of angling both as a form of recreation for many people around the country and as an important contribution to the rural economy. We have acknowledged the importance of angling on many occasions, for example in our last animal welfare policy paper A Matter of Conscience. Liberal Democrats are also committed to improving access to sports facilities of all kinds within communities through our proposed Community Sports and Arts Fund, and this could be used to support angling where local communities so choose. Furthermore, we will promote community sport plans and we would envisage access to angling forming part of these plans in many areas, and we would support local authorities in including angling in any major recreational development proposals.

However, it is important to strike a sensible balance between protecting fish stocks and defending Britain’s natural biodiversity. We will give full consideration to any proposals on this issue from the Environment Agency. As resources allow, we would like to see an increase in funding for the Environment Agency, including for fisheries work. We believe that the police should fully uphold the law to protect the rights of anglers to pursue their sport. However we will also uphold the rights of those with different opinions to express their views, peacefully.

Many thanks again for your letter.

Yours sincerely, 

Rt Hon Charles Kennedy

(Dictated by Mr Kennedy and signed in his absence)