MPs will next week debate a petition urging the Government to set up an independent regulatory body which will take meaningful action to stop racehorses dying – a petition that Isle of Wight residents have strongly backed.
Over 105,000 signatures have been put against the petition which states that around 200 horses die each year due to racing in Britain. 343 of those signatures have come from Isle of Wight residents (0.25% of the Island’s population), making it the second higher ranking parliamentary constituency to support the petition.
The Government says that it does not consider that it is necessary to create a new body to protect racehorse welfare, and outlines that the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is responsible for the safety of jockeys and horses at races in this country.
Monday’s debate, which gets underway at 16:30, will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a Government Minister directly on this topic.
You will be able to watch the debate live online at https://parliamentlive.tv/Guide.
The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition are as follows (as of 10th October)
| Name | MP | Signature Count |
| Cheltenham | Alex Chalk MP | 388 |
| Isle of Wight | Mr Bob Seely MP | 343 |
| Hastings and Rye | Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP | 340 |
| Stroud | Dr David Drew MP | 331 |
| Brighton, Pavilion | Caroline Lucas MP | 325 |
| Tewkesbury | Mr Laurence Robertson MP | 313 |
| Torridge and West Devon | Rt Hon Geoffrey Cox QC MP | 309 |
| Wealden | Ms Nusrat Ghani MP | 296 |
| Totnes | Dr Sarah Wollaston MP | 295 |
| Forest of Dean | Rt Hon Mark Harper MP | 294 |
