I was beginning to wonder whether we had reached 'peak hedgehog' ... the petition was stalled at around 450,000. Now don't get me wrong, I was not ungrateful for that amazing turn out - just that a little bit of me wanted to reach the half million mark before I started to ramp up the pressure on the Minister, Kit Malthouse. 

I was thrilled when we got to 456,789 - jut because I like it when numbers do their thing so well together ... but then Saturday morning I started to notice a bit of acceleration. My lovely 12 year old neighbour, Zoe, reckoned this might have been because she messaged all 57 contacts she has - asking them to sign. And maybe that was the tipping point!

But whatever the cause, we have now reached that figure - 500,000 (and counting) have signed.

Today I will re-approach Kit Malthouse - and Michael Gove - and ask for a meeting.

If they do not respond quickly, I will ask you all to help - I want them to be made aware of how important hedgehogs are to the public they claim to serve. And as I am sure you are well aware, this is about far more than just hedgehogs - this is about all wildlife we share the land with. It is about beginning to see a shift in the relationship to one where nature is treated seriously.

For too long nature has been either disregarded or actively abused by the machinery of capital. Of late there has been a shift to considering nature as something 'nice to have' - but that is almost as bad. Our challenge is to get the authorities to recognise what I am sure you all do - that nature is vital. Everything we do - all our economy, education, health, food - is built on the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. It is absurd, stupid and dangerous to allow our leaders to continue to think that everything 'belongs' to the economy. Ecology first, and the rest will follow.

And the hedgehog may be just one small part of this revolutionary call - but it is a part - and it is a way that we can all express a desire for change - change to a system that values an enriched natural world more than the enrichment of a few already obscenely wealthy people.

Thank you again - I am sure there are hedgehogs dancing in appreciation for all you have done!