Caroline Daniel. Kevin Saunders, press officer for the League Against Cruel Sports, claimed that between the three organisations (IFAW, LACS, RSPCA) at least pounds 5 million would be spent to suport the Foster Bill to ban hunting. The league has raised pounds 250,000 by mortgaging its London offices and is considering mortgaging other properties.

Caroline Daniel. Animal rights v animal welfare: how and why Jim Barrington, Executive Director of the League Against Cruel Sports, left it to set up the Wildlife Network, aimed at reforming the hunting of foxes rather than banning it, with other ex-LACS members.

Gavin Weightman. Whether Mike Foster's bid to ban hunting with dogs succeeds or fails, vulpes vulpes will remain a fixture in the English countryside, thanks to the hunt.

When you become the government, you acquire the power to ban some things and to un-ban others. But first you must have a set of principles to guide you. A ban requires overwhelming public support, capability of practical enforcement, and not merely because of dislike.

Mary Riddell. There are two things in favour of the hunters' protest. The first is that they are right. Few things that do not cause human death should be banned. New Baywatch and caravans on motorways may be exceptions. Fox-hunting is not. The second merit is that, in lauding their own eco-sympathy, blood-sports fans inadvertently highlight how worried we should be if landscape management is really down to them.

Anthony Speaight describes the ambiance at the Hyde Park Rally, the speakers, and demonstrators, and their hope that the instinctive moderation of the nation would prevail.

Paul Jarman gives his reasons for opposing foxhunting, beginning with his interest in Celtic spirituality.

Robert Nowell explains the many reasons why hunting should not be banned.