SO the Tories are pledged to re-legalise medieval barbarism by repealing the Hunting Act. Are we as a nation prepared to lurch backwards and give sadistic acts of violence against sentient creatures political support?

I really do not think so.

The Tories are debasing themselves by their support for animal abuse.

Violent acts toward animals have long been recognized as indicators of a dangerous psychopathy that does not confine itself to animals. “Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives,” wrote humanitarian Dr Albert Schweitzer. “Murderers... very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids,” according to Robert K Ressler, who developed profiles of serial killers for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Studies have now convinced sociologists, lawmakers, and the courts that acts of cruelty toward animals deserve our attention. They can be the first sign of a violent pathology that includes human victims.

At election time watch out for the killer on your doorstep.

CHRIS GALE

Dover Street

Chippenham