Although the government has five years in which to outlive any outrage over its actions in these initial stages of rule, the move to overturn the ban on fox hunting is a bold and potentially dangerous step for them.

Although it will be popular in many rural areas, the changing of the rules over how many hounds can be used to flush out a fox before it is shot more or less opens the way for an end to the hunting ban in all but name.

This will be welcomed by the rural community who always saw the hunting ban as an attack on their way of life by ‘townies’ who didn’t know any better.

Since then there has been an uneasy stand-off between the hunters and those who oppose them that has occasionally deteriorated into aggression.

This early move by the Tory government looks like a way to placate some backbenchers with rural seats who will need to be kept on board for more controversial matters where the Conservatives face a bumpy ride with only a slim majority to rely on.

This paper believes, however, that the public will have long memories over this issue and it will be a gift to opposition voices when the time comes to face the ballot box again.

Urban communities simply do not see the need to hunt foxes with hounds, no matter how much they love the ideal of the English countryside and its way of life.