We pay MPS to attend Commons. If they do not show up, where on earth is our money going?

If MPS don’t show up to the Commons tomorrow to vote for the Trophy Hunting Bill, it would be a shameful betrayal of voters and make a mockery of our democracy.

At the last election, the Conservative and Labour Party manifestos pledged identical bans on hunting trophies. Every Conservative and Labour MP who won signed a contract with their electorate to deliver this ban.

We pay MPS’ salaries, and expenses, to attend the Commons and ensure election pledges become law.

This Bill has been in no fewer than four Queen’s Speeches. It was personally promised by Boris Johnson from the Dispatch Box, and by Rishi Sunak when he ran for Conservative leader. Many MPS have written to their constituents promising to support it.

I was therefore horrified to learn that just a handful of MPS plan to come to the Commons tomorrow for the debate.

Where on earth is our money going? This is a Government-drafted Bill. It mirrors the Labour Party’s policy to the letter. The leader of the Liberal Democrats has voiced his support. MPS from the SNP, DUP and every party have campaigned for it. So where are they when it matters? It is time for MPS to put our money where their mouth is. What is the point in election manifestos if MPS don’t vote for what’s in it? What is the point of us paying MPS to represent us if they choose to stay away on crucial Bills like this?

Survation has conducted an opinion poll asking their constituents what they want their MP to do this Friday. More than eight out of 10 voters said they want their MP to attend the debate in person and ensure the Bill passes into law.

MPS who fail to show up could be condemning thousands of animals to a brutal, needless death. British trophy hunters are killing lions that have been snatched from their mothers and reared as pets. They are then shot in enclosures. They are killing endangered elephants, rhinos, polar bears, leopards and cheetahs. They sometimes use bows and arrows because it is more “fun”, apparently.

This is utterly inexcusable and barbaric. Killing animals for entertainment and mementoes is something straight out of the darkest Middle Ages. It is moronic, medieval mindlessness. And it is about as un-british as you can get.

If this Bill fails to pass because not enough MPS turned up, they will have allowed evil to triumph. We will have sent a message that killing endangered animals for kicks is just fine.

Dear MPS, do the right thing. Come to Parliament. Let’s get this ban done.

If this Bill fails to pass because not enough MPS turned up, they will have allowed evil to triumph