Last ditch bid to ban hunting

A final push to ban foxhunting will begin in weeks as Tony Blair gears up for a general election next year.

Preparations for a blizzard of pre-election announcements and speeches begin on Wednesday when the Prime Minister returns from his extended holiday.

A bill to outlaw hunting foxes with dogs is likely to be confirmed as early as September, with the aim of pleasing Labour MPs and activists before the annual Trades Union Congress and party conference season.

It will be introduced to Parliament by mid-October at the latest, setting up a confrontation with critics in the House of Lords before the election, widely expected to be held on 5 May next year.

Mr Blair is said to regard the autumn as a critical period for restoring Labour unity after the divisions provoked by the Iraq war and controversial policies such as top-up fees and foundation hospitals.

On his return from holiday, he will go to Chequers to begin planning moves to bind up Labour wounds. Among them is a keynote speech on the environment early next month which will reinforce promises to bear down on global warming.