The West of England's metro mayor has a new job - the chair of the board of trustees at the League Against Cruel Sports. Dan Norris's unpaid role will see him chair meetings of the trustees that oversee the national campaigning animal welfare charity.
Mr Norris, who was elected to be the Metro Mayor for an area covering all of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset in May 2021, was co-opted onto the board of trustees of the League back in April this year, and within six months has now been voted in as chair.
The Labour politician has a long track record of campaigning against issues the League Against Cruel Sports have led on, most notably on hunting with dogs. As a Labour MP for what is now Jacob Rees Mogg's North East Somerset constituency, he was a leading figure in the West Country in the campaign to get fox hunting banned in the early 2000s, and served as an environment minister.
Read more: Metro Mayor condemns ‘disheartening and disappointing’ bus route cancellations
Most famously, on the final day of legal fox hunting in 2005, he and his assistant, and the TV crew were accosted and egged by hunt supporters live on regional TV news at the end of a meet of the Beaufort Hunt in Badminton in South Gloucestershire. Now, 17 years after the ban came into force, Mr Norris said he was 'immensely proud' to now effectively lead the League Against Cruel Sports.
Mr Norris said: "The way we treat animals is a measure of a civilised society," he said. "I have no doubt that generations to come will look back at the cruelty we currently inflict and judge it as a stain in history. Throughout my life I have never understood why anyone would want to inflict senseless cruelty on any animal," he added.
“I am immensely proud to become Chair of the League Against Cruel Sports. Their work is hugely impressive and their impact has been significant. When I was an MP in the last Labour Government voting for the fox hunting ban was a key and heart-warming achievements. Now I am determined to further play my part to ensure the League Against Cruel Sports goes on to more and greater successes and achievements," he said.
Andy Knott, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, praised Mr Norris's 'steely determination' on animal cruelty. “I am delighted to welcome Dan to the Board of Trustees, and particularly as our new Chair," he said. “His longstanding commitment and steely determination to end animal cruelty, along with his distinguished record of public service and campaigning, will help us bring yet more protections for animals persecuted for fun.”
To keep up to date with latest Bristol politics news, and discuss thoughts with other residents, join our Bristol politics news and discussion here. You can also sign up to our brand new politics newsletter here.
