The British House of Commons Parliament has voted overwhelmingly for a complete ban on fox hunting, ignoring Prime Minister Tony Blair's calls for a compromise.
The House overturned a vote by peers in the House of Lords on Monday for some hunting to be allowed under strict regulation, backing a total ban by 321 to 204.
The government is now likely to use the Parliament Act - a rarely used device to carry the will of the elected chamber - to force a complete ban into law.
Mr Blair's spokesman said the prime minister personally supported the compromise option but in a free vote, allowing parliamentarians to vote according to their conscience, he was largely ignored.
"There are very strong opinions so he believes in compromise," the spokesman said.
The pursuit has long inflamed passions across the country, with opponents denouncing it as a barbaric sport while supporters argue it is an essential element of country life.
Mr Blair's government pledged to outlaw hunting with hounds when it took power in 1997 but fierce opposition has stalled the bill repeatedly.
The prime minister could now face a protest campaign in the run up to an expected 2005 election, particularly if the Lords switch tack when the bill returns to them on Wednesday to make it a major electoral issue by calling for an immediate ban on fox hunting.
The House of Lords has strongly opposed a full ban but now sees a chance to embarrass the Labour leader.
The government intends to delay an to end fox hunting for another 18 months in order to avoid the bitterly divisive issue featuring in the election campaign.
Pro-hunt supporters have already invaded parliament and clashed with police in their bid to keep their sport legal. About 30 women chained themselves up outside the Palace of Westminster yesterday. And their campaign may continue in court.
The Countryside Alliance pro-hunting pressure group say they are preparing a legal challenge as they believe any use of the Parliament Act is an infringement of human rights.