Labour Faces Backlash for Breaking Election Pledge

Labour Faces Backlash for Breaking Election Pledge on Badger Cull

In a surprising turn of events to some (but not those of us who have experienced it before) the Labour Party, under Sir Keir Starmer, is facing significant criticism for considering an expansion of the controversial badger cull, despite a manifesto promise to end it. 


The new government, just over a month into its tenure, is contemplating issuing a cull license in Cumbria, a move that has provoked outrage from voters who supported Labour for its environmental commitments.


The badger cull, an initiative running for over a decade, has resulted in the deaths of more than 230,000 badgers across England. Labour's apparent reversal on this issue has sparked accusations of betrayal, particularly from wildlife advocates who believed the party would swiftly put an end to the practice.

Former Badger Trust head, Dominic Dyer, expressed his dismay on social media, stating that Labour's actions suggest they have no intention of stopping the "senseless slaughter" of badgers. He emphasised that scientific research points to cattle, not badgers, as the primary reservoir for bovine tuberculosis (bTB), advocating for improved cattle testing instead.


Natural England, the body responsible for overseeing wildlife licensing, confirmed it is considering the new cull application, which has prompted a public consultation. However, this decision contradicts mounting evidence that badger culling does little to address bTB, and instead, more effective cow-focused measures are needed.

Critics argue that Labour's decision risks alienating the public and exacerbating tensions between farmers, scientists, and conservationists. The government's commitment to honour existing cull licenses further complicates the issue.


In response to the backlash, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner, reiterated the government's commitment to ending the cull, emphasising the need to balance the interests of farmers and wildlife conservation. 


The controversy has galvanized wildlife organisations, with a National Day of Action Against the Cull scheduled for September 3rd. 


Spearheaded by the Badger Trust, the event will see multiple organisations, including Born Free and Wildlife and Countryside Link, rallying for an immediate halt to badger culling and a shift towards more sustainable solutions for managing bTB.

As Labour navigates this contentious issue, the pressure mounts for the party to uphold its environmental promises and restore public trust.


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