The Hull MP was opening the debate on Labour's sustainable communities policy paper.
We have been thrown as a bone to the Labour Party backbenchers
Darren Hughes, Countryside Alliance
He said the government was "helping real people with real problems. Not like that braying mob expected outside."
"Yes, they'll be here again. Well, at least it gives the foxes another day off.
"And they say they care. On the countryside, conference, I care. This party cares - passionately - about the countryside.
"It's this Labour government that's investing in rural communities - and that's why we have more MPs in rural areas than all the Tories put together."
And in a swipe at Otis Ferry, one of the protesters who invaded the commons, he said: "Today is Bryan Ferry's birthday - many happy returns and give my love to Otis and Foxy Music."