SALISBURY MP John Glen has sparked online controversy after defending trail hunting and criticising the Labour government’s approach to countryside policy.

In a social media post yesterday, Mr Glen reflected on the introduction of the Hunting Act in 2004 by Labour which made hunting wild animals with dogs unlawful in England and Wales.

He said the law was seen by many rural communities as “an assault on their way of life” and evidence of “a lack of understanding and respect from a Labour government in Westminster”.

Mr Glen argued that little has changed two decades on, saying the current Labour government shows the same “lack of understanding and respect” for people who live and work in the countryside.

He claimed rural communities in his constituency feel targeted by measures such as “the family farm tax” and higher business rates, and criticised plans to ban trail hunting.

The MP described trail hunting as “a legal, regulated countryside activity”, accusing the government of pursuing a ban “to appease its backbenches”.

He maintained that trail hunting was adopted because “Parliament demanded change” and said his local hunt operates within the law.

Banning it now, he warned, would send “a chilling message” that compliance will never be enough.

While Mr Glen’s statement garnered dozens of Facebook ‘likes’, they also prompted a strong backlash in the comments section.

More than 100 people have commented on Mr Glen’s post.

Critics argued the Hunting Act banned cruelty, not rural life, and said trail hunting is widely viewed as a loophole used to continue illegal fox hunting.

Commenters cited ongoing investigations and prosecutions as evidence that the issue remains unresolved.

Others rejected claims that hunting represents rural communities, describing it as a niche activity that causes distress to wildlife, livestock, pets and residents.

Several called for tougher enforcement of existing laws or a full ban, arguing that tradition and heritage do not justify what they see as continued lawbreaking.