Oxford City Council has, for the first time, voted on a motion about Oxford Uni’s biomedical research facility.  It was a victory for common sense and reasoned debate. Liberal Democrat city councillor Richard Huzzey said:

The issue of medical research using animals is important for everyone living in Oxford. It seems odd the city council hasn’t addressed it before.

The overwhelming majority of councillors took an opinion that easing human suffering and saving human lives justified animal research.

I suspect that mirrors most Oxford residents’ feelings, but we are keen to encourage discussion.

I think the council has a role in creating a climate where this issue can be debated peacefully and intimidation and violence are shunned by all sides.

Oxford Mail, ‘Council backs animal testing’ by Giles Sheldrick, 26th August 2006

The fact that the ‘overwhelming majority of councillors’ support Oxford is another crippling blow (following Pro-Test and the People’s Petition, both grassroots movements) to one of the antivivs’ core beliefs – that they represent that majority of the public, particularly in a LibDem constituency.  This highlights again how far-removed from reality this belief actually is.

As for the extremists responsible for the harassment of individuals and companies, the burning of a College boathouse, and the threats against ‘anyone connected with Oxford University’, it is heartening to see that intimidation and violent protest are increasingly giving way to rational discussion – long may the trend continue.