On the 6th of April, Reform UK Councillor and head of Warwickshire County Council George Finch, attended the North Cotswold Hunt’s point-to-point in Paxford. In the minute long video George claims to be “listening to the rural community,” and stated that Reform “is the party for rural communities.”
What George fails to mention is that point-to-point races are a way for hunts to raise money to fund their illegal hunting, and if he really listened to the majority of people in rural communities then he would know the extent to which they are negatively impacted by the presence of hunts.
The North Cotswold Hunt is not a “trail hunt” because “trail hunting” does not exist, it is a smokescreen and has been for over twenty years. The North Cotswold Hunt illegally hunts foxes, trespasses and cause disruption to rural communities.
On the 7th of March 2026, near Stanway House, Gloucestershire, saboteurs from Three Counties Hunt Sabs filmed an exhausted fox running for its life. Its tongue can be seen hanging out of its mouth as it runs into a hedgerow. A saboteur quickly covers the line moments before hounds appear and begin trying to pursue it, but are thankfully stopped by the sab. Watch the video here.
Unfortunately, on the 15th of February 2023, a sab from Three Counties Hunt Sabs witnessed hounds killing a fox who had sought refuge in a hedgerow in Childswickham, Gloucestershire. On the video captured by sabs, hounds can be seen tearing at the fox before whipper in Sam Brown tries to quickly dispose of the body, handing it to terrier man Chris Trotman. Not fulfilled with this kill the hunt then continued to hunt on crossing over a railway and hunting beside a busy road. Watch the video here.
Trespass and fox hunting frequently come hand in hand and the North Cotswold Hunt are no exception. West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs reported that on the 12th of January 2022 this hunt not only blatantly hunted foxes but ran amok on an industrial estate whilst trespassing, and a hunt supporter rode a quad at sabs. Watch the video here.
Further to this on the 23rd of September 2023 they were caught trespassing by Three Counties Hunt Sabs on land owned by The National Grid. Hunt staff blatantly lied claiming they had permission to be there, however National Grid confirmed that they “don’t allow hunting on land they own or control,” and confirmed they would be writing to the hunt. Watch the video here.
This kind of behaviour is what rural communities have to endure at the hands of illegal fox hunts, but it seems that George has tried to gloss over all of these incidents for the purposes of a promotional video. Reform UK’s stance on hunting is very clear; they support it and would look to repeal any hunting ban. Make no mistake a vote for Reform is a vote for cruelty.
The government’s consultation into banning “trail hunting” is open until the 18th of June 2026. Read the HSA’s guidelines and find out more here.
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The government has launched a public consultation on Trail Hunting – this is our chance to stop cruel hunting for good. You can read the HSA’s guidance and take part in the consultation here. The deadline is 18th June 2026 – make sure your voice is heard.
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