It is a little known fact that the Hunting Act, love it or loathe it, is on the Statute Book because of me.

I feel a tad aggrieved, but not surprised, that Conservatives are pledged to repeal it. Or, in their weasely words, they “will give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a Government Bill in Government time.”

Back to me.

Over the years there were any number of failed attempts to outlaw hunting with dogs using the Private Members’ Bill route. These were always destined to fail. The procedural hurdles in getting a controversial Private Members’ Bill through are legendary.

Over a decade ago, my landmark Private Members’ Bill on the Right to Roam won huge support. But it was controversial. To its great credit, the Government took up the Bill and put it into law as the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. (CROW Act)

I was on the Bill Committee. In a blinding flash of the obvious, I realised it would be procedurally in order for Part III of the Bill to be amended to outlaw hunting with dogs. I quietly collected more than 100 signatures of MPs who would back my amendment which I would then table in Committee.

I knew the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was nervous about opening up another flank and alienating the Countryside Alliance types.

But a Bill to ban hunting with dogs would be immensely popular in the Party and beyond.

I shall never forget that morning when, at a pre-meeting before the Committee proper started, I told my Labour colleagues that I was going to table the amendment whether the Government wanted me to or not. Klaxons! Alarm bells! Dive for cover!

The Whip was incandescent. A Departmental Minister was apoplectic. A PPS, enraged. Michael Meacher, who was responsible for the Bill, was more measured.

I was told by the enforcers, very bluntly, that I was letting the side down. That I was wrecking the CROW Bill that I had done so much to bring forward. The message was absolutely clear. On no account must this amendment be tabled.

Well that’s just too bad.

I knew the Government could not allow the CROW Bill to fail. It was a popular piece of legislation and we had built up a huge head of steam after years of campaigning.

I made my offer.

I said that the Private Members’ Bill procedure to outlaw hunting with dogs was always destined to fail. The procedural hoops and hurdles guaranteed it.

Instead I wanted the Government to announce at the dispatch box in the House of Commons that it would be bringing forward its own Bill to outlaw hunting with dogs.

In those circumstances I would withdraw my amendment.

And I did. The rest is history.

Tomorrow night, I have my first hustings at Barrowford Civic Hall, organised by the RSPB. Animal welfare is on the agenda.

I am looking forward to it.