Foxes on the Doorstep
London, 29th January 2026 - New research shared with MPs suggests that banning trail hunting may be an undervalued vote winner, with strong public backing across party lines and clear evidence that the issue influences voter behaviour and political engagement.
The report, published by The New Hunting Ban, brings together national polling, original voter survey data and a detailed social media engagement analysis. Together, the findings challenge the assumption that animal welfare is a marginal electoral issue and point instead to hunting with hounds as an important concern for voters.
Polling evidence referenced in the report shows strong public support for legal reform. New polling commissioned by the League Against Cruel Sports and conducted by Survation found that 62% of people believe trail hunting should be illegal, compared to 24% who think it should remain legal, with majorities in favour across every region of England and Wales, including rural areas. Support cuts across party affiliation, with a majority of Conservative voters (56%) in favour of outlawing trail hunting, alongside 56% of Labour voters, 66% of Liberal Democrat voters, 64% of Reform voters and 79% of Green voters..
Alongside national polling, The New Hunting Ban conducted its own voter survey, finding that over half of respondents said parties’ positions on hunting with hounds were likely to change their voting behaviour. Responses revealed patterns of vote switching, withdrawal of support from parties perceived as opposing reform, and, in a smaller but significant number of cases, the mobilisation of people who do not usually vote.
The report also includes a quantitative analysis of Facebook engagement across MPs from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru following the publication of the government’s Animal Welfare Strategy in December 2025. Comparing relevant posts with each MP’s average engagement across surrounding posts, the analysis found that posts referencing trail hunting averaged 4.6 times more reactions and over 22 times more comments than baseline content.
The research is published as Defra prepares to launch a public consultation on banning trail hunting. The full report has been circulated to MPs and their offices as a practical evidence briefing to inform policy discussions, communications and campaign planning.
Rhys Giles, Director of The New Hunting Ban, said:
“A ban on trail hunting is a policy politicians can and should be proud to support - and this report shows it can change votes. But it cannot be the end of the story. A narrow ban will not meet public expectations of a final end to hunting with hounds, and the government should be under no illusion going into the consultation: without radical, structural reform, wildlife will continue to be killed and rural communities tormented. If this expectation isn’t met, voters won’t forget. The debate is over. The evidence is in. Now it’s time to act.”
Notes to editors
The report combines national polling, original voter survey data and a quantitative analysis of MPs’ social media engagement.
Polling cited includes new Survation research commissioned by the League Against Cruel Sports, alongside YouGov data.
The social media analysis compares engagement on trail hunting posts against a personalised baseline for each MP, calculated using the average engagement of the ten preceding and ten succeeding posts.
The full report is available at: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0l3pd42qk4g5tp7uk2qus/Foxes-on-the-Doorstep-v2.pdf?rlkey=bxafbh855lu76t7n1ofuwlr5q&st=xwvph63o&dl=0
For further information or interview requests, please contact: info@thenewhuntingban.com