FOXES can breathe a sigh of relief – for at least another two years – but critics are still snapping at Theresa May’s heels following her latest U-turn.

The PM has ruled out trying to lift the fox hunting ban, despite saying she wanted to repeal it during the election campaign.

It marks the latest climbdown by Mrs May on a flagship manifesto pledge. She has now been forced to dump plans for more grammar schools, to scrap the pensions triple lock and free school lunches, and her bid to force elderly people to cover more of the cost of social care.

Downing Street had previously admitted the hunting vote was not a priority in the wake of the shock election result but had stopped short of ruling it out. There was no mention of fox hunting in the Queen’s Speech, suggesting a vote was not likely to take place in the next two years, but ministers have now confirmed their decision to dump it.

Fox hunting is one of those issues that you are either for or against. Mrs May, who was brought up in the countryside, is in favour although she insists that she has never taken part in a hunt herself.

Tony Blair was PM when the ban on hunting foxes and other wild mammals with dogs was introduced. He subsequently regretted ushering in the ban – so U-turns and changes of heart aren’t limited to the Conservative ranks.

Whichever side you stand on, it is hard to argue that legislation on hunting is a priority at a time when the complex Brexit process looms.

Far too much parliamentary time has been taken up on the subject of fox hunting already, and it would be an unwelcome distraction to debate it when the future of our international trade and immigration policies hang in the balance.