The 58th UK Parliament convenes today. Under the new composition at the House of Commons, who will be crucial to WDA’s campaign to ban dog meat consumption in the UK?

We were very pleased to be able to attract the support support of a number of MPs across all political parties. Sadly some of them lost their seats but of those who remain, we are particularly grateful for the support of the following:

The Government

1. Theresa Villiers – Environment Secretary

Villiers has just retained her seat at the general election. As the responsible Secretary of State, her support is decisive to WDA’s campaign. Before she entered the cabinet, she attended WDA’s Parliamentary event on 16 October 2018. At our event she was very supportive of our campaign and we hope that as Secretary of State she can turn that support into action.

Backbenchers

1. Giles Watling (Con – Clacton)

Giles is WDA’s champion at the Parliament. As the Vice-Chair of APPG Animal Welfare Group, he was the most supportive MP at the last Parliament. He put down two amendments to Agriculture Bill and Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill respectively. He also co-sponsored a 10-Minute Rule Bill to make dog meat consumption an offence in the UK. He once raised a Prime Minister’s Question, and asked several Parliamentary Question to DEFRA. On 4th June, Giles gave a tour at the Parliament to Mr. Genlin, Founder of World Dog Alliance. He later held a Parliamentary event with WDA on 17 July.

2. Bill Wiggin (Con – Herefordshire North)

Bill is a big supporter to World Dog Alliance. On 21 February, he put down a 10-Minute Rule Bill to make dog meat consumption an offence. Apart from raising a number of Parliamentary Questions, he signed Giles’ two amendments to ban dog and cat meat consumption.

3. Dr Lisa Cameron (SNP – East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)

Lisa was the first MP who declared her support on a dog meat ban in UK. As the Chair of APPG Dog Welfare Group, she held a Parliament event with WDA on 16 October 2018 and attended WDA’s another event on 17 July 2019. Apart from raising several Parliamentary Questions, Lisa signed Giles’ two amendment to ban dog meat consumption in UK.

4. Sir Roger Gale (Con – Thanet North)

As the Vice-Chair of APPG Dog Welfare Advisory Group at the last Parliament, Sir Roger attended WDA’s Parliamentary events twice. He recommended WDA to Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF), which has been a strong ally to ban dog meat consumption. Sir Roger also signed Giles’ amendment to Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.

5. Andrew Gwynne (Lab – Denton and Reddish)

Shadow Communities and Local Governments Secretary has been supportive to WDA’s campaign. He attended WDA’s Parliamentary event twice, and raised a number of Parliamentary Questions at the last Parliament.

6. Andy Slaughter (Lab – Hammersmith)

Andy is another WDA supporter. At the last Parliament, he signed Giles’ two amendments to ban dog meat consumption. He also signed a relevant Early Day Motion and raised a couple of Parliamentary Questions. On 17 July, he attended WDA’s Parliamentary event to show his continuous support.

7. Jim Shannon (DUP – Strangford)

Jim is another WDA supporter. He signed Giles’ two amendments to ban dog meat consumption and co-sponsored a 10-Minute Rule Bill at the last Parliament. He attended two WDA’s Parliamentary events and raised a number of Parliamentary Questions. Apart from putting down an Early Day Motion, Jim called for a Westminster Hall Debate on 19 February. During the debate, then Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley gave a positive government response to WDA’s campaign.