While its pomp and pageantry may be eye-catching, it’s the words that really matter, and last week, the King’s Speech was a bit of a disappointment for animal lovers everywhere.  

The past few months have seen FOUR PAWS UK ramping up nearly every aspect of our engagement with politicians – both existing ones and all the would-be MPs. When the election was unexpectedly called on 22nd May, we sped into action. Just the night before, we held a hustings event in Parliament, where the four biggest parties in Westminster laid out their commitments to animal welfare - with the caveat that manifestos were not yet agreed or published. We needed to be quick out of the blocks to let parties know what we wanted to see from the next government. Whoever was elected, we wanted them to Crackdown on Cruelty and ensure they were Champions for Animals.

We were delighted that nearly 7000 of you wrote to your candidates ahead of the election and that nearly every MP elected has heard from at least one FOUR PAWS supporter since polling day. This engagement makes a huge difference. MPs are there to represent their constituents and knowing that there are thousands of animal welfare advocates around the country means MPs have a duty to take the issue seriously.  

During the election campaign we saw most of the main political parties commit to take forward a series of essential reforms we have been campaigning for that would improve the lives of millions, if not billions of animals. In their election manifesto the Labour Party stated:

They also committed to: 

“work with farmers and scientists on measures to eradicate Bovine TB, protecting livelihoods, so that we can end the ineffective badger cull.” 

This is a great starting point, and we are keen to work with the new government to see through their commitments to improve the lives of animals, but also to go further.  

We will seek a long-awaited ban on the import and sale of fur, along with a similar ban on foie gras. We will also be speaking up for the welfare of farmed animals and pushing for an end to factory farming and the phasing out of the use of cages and crates, encouraging a transition towards more sustainable food and farming systems. 

So, what happened last week and what happens now? 

Last week the King’s Speech set out the legislative agenda for the first Parliamentary session of the new government. In total around 40 Bills were announced but none featured measures to improve animal welfare or make good on the manifesto commitments promised ahead of the election. We were understandably disappointed in this result. However, we appreciate that there are a number of competing priorities for a new incoming government and not everything is possible right away.  

Needless to say, we will be seeking urgent reassurances from the Government that they remain committed to improving animal welfare. We were delighted to hear a number of MPs already challenge the government on this omission in the debate yesterday and call on the government to do more, Ruth Jones MP in fact referenced the emails she has received from constituents in support of animals, and pledged “to speak out on animal welfare because the animals can’t.”

In the meantime, our sights now turn to the Private Members Bill ballot, an opportunity for MPs of any party to put forward their own Bills.  

In recent years many Private Members Bills have passed, leading to meaningful change for animals; Jane Stevenson’s Bill in 2022 banned the use of glue traps and Angela Richardson's Bill in 2023 banned the advertising of low-welfare activities abroad (such as elephant rides).  

Could your MP be the one to ban the import and sale of fur or foie gras, or the one who cracks down on the illegal smuggling of puppies into the UK or the use of cages for farmed animals?  Write to them today, and make sure your MP puts animal welfare firmly on the agenda.