HAVING supposedly been scared off by the vociferous countryside lobby, Tony Blair's sudden declaration that fox-hunting will be banned before the next election is something of a surprise. But, in this move, political hounds will scent a bid by the Prime Minister to keep his party's grumbling grassroots content.

For, as evidenced by the recent attacks on New Labourism by their champion, deputy Premier John Prescott, Old Labour - seizing on the party's flop in the European elections - has become resurgent by demanding a return to the old ways.

And what better bone, then, could a canny leader toss the traditionalist class warriors than an attack on the toffs in pink coats who harry wild animals to death for fun?

For is not Downing Street's unexpected commitment to outlawing hunting patently a political manoeuvre.

It will not be forgotten that, when Labour backbencher Michael Foster attempted to do this with a private member's Bill, not only did the government refuse to allow it parliamentary time, but also, when it was put to the vote in the Commons, Mr Blair and nine of his Cabinet ministers made sure they were absent?

Measured against that, the government's support for a ban now will raise the eyebrow of the cynic and, of course, infuriate the hunters.

But this departure, perhaps, illustrates Tony Blair's cleverness because, with a tweak of policy, he calms Old Labour and, at the same time, delights the country generally.

For, as was the case all along, the vast majority of people - 73 per cent, according to the latest opinion poll - want hunting outlawed.

Quite right, too. It is a cruel and bloody sport that is an affront to a civilised country.

Let it go the way of cock-fighting and bull-baiting. And as soon as possible.

It is for that reason - the moral one - that most people oppose it and are sickened by it.

And it should have been for that reason that the government ought to have outlawed it before now.

As it is, tarred with a touch of political intrigue, we will gladly have it nonetheless.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.