LONDON: Here's some free political advice from Paul McCartney to Prime Minister David Cameron: Don't mess with the fox hunting ban.

The former Beatle said Friday that any move to reintroduce hunting would be unpopular.

He spoke out before a vote in Parliament next week on the government's proposal to loosen the hunting ban. The new proposal would allow a pack of hounds to flush a fox out of hiding but not kill it.

Hunting opponents believe this would amount to legalizing hunting again after a ban was imposed in 2004.

McCartney said many Britons back the Conservative government but would turn against it if hunting makes a comeback.

"It is cruel and unnecessary and will lose them support from ordinary people and animal lovers like myself," he said.