In New Labour’s pre-1997 election leaflet New Life for Animals, the party made a range of statements that raised expectations amongst the animal protection community.

How times have changed amongst Labour party members themselves. The Times reported

Lord Drayson, the Defence Minister, became the first major speaker to be heckled at this year’s Labour conference. The former vaccine research company chief turned politician was criticising actions of animal rights extremists when the heckler branded medical researchers ‘abusers’ and labelled as ‘rubbish’ claims that animal testing was necessary. Lord Drayson - who in 1993 founded PowderJect Pharmaceuticals plc in Oxford which specialised in the production of vaccines - told delegates that animal extremism was the ‘one subject that got me into politics’. ‘I was chairman of the biotech industry association when violent attacks on scientists working in my industry became intense,’ he added when the heckler called out ‘abusers’. The heckler called out again but was drowned out by applause for Lord Drayson from the audience. Stewards in the conference hall looked on nervously but resisted challenging the heckler.

So we have gone from unthinking opposition, to open debate, with a clear majority supporting responsible animal use. That sounds like a healthy, informed democracy to me, the one thing antivivisectionists really fear!