Equal Parenting Alliance
Encyclopedia
The Equal Parenting Alliance is a minor political party
in the United Kingdom
. Founded in February 2006, it aims to bring about reform of the Family law system in England and Wales. It was started by former members of Fathers 4 Justice
, a father's rights organisation, and a similar group New Fathers for Justice. Its leader is Ray Barry.
The party supports equal custody for parents and believe that the "non-resident parent [should be] able to spend up to 100 days and nights with the child."
Party income in 2006 was £1,245, £2,527 in 2007, and £345 in 2008.
Two candidates are standing in the United Kingdom general election, 2010, Ray Barry for Wolverhampton South West and Roger Crawford in Oxford East.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Founded in February 2006, it aims to bring about reform of the Family law system in England and Wales. It was started by former members of Fathers 4 Justice
Fathers 4 Justice
Fathers 4 Justice began as a fathers’ rights organisation in the United Kingdom. It became prominent and frequently discussed in the media following a series of high-visibility stunts and protests often in costume. It was temporarily disbanded in January 2006, following allegations of a plot by...
, a father's rights organisation, and a similar group New Fathers for Justice. Its leader is Ray Barry.
The party supports equal custody for parents and believe that the "non-resident parent [should be] able to spend up to 100 days and nights with the child."
Organisation and membership
The party is made up of a committee and members. Membership was 71 at the end of 2008.Party income in 2006 was £1,245, £2,527 in 2007, and £345 in 2008.
Elections
The party has contested:- Carrick, Cumnock and Doon ValleyCarrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Scottish Parliament constituency)Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Scotland. It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election...
election in May 2007, in which Ray Barry gained 124 votes. - Runnymede Council election in May 2007Runnymede Council election, 2007Elections to Runnymede Council were held on 3 May 2007. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative party stayed in overall control of the council.After the election, the composition of the council was*Conservative 36...
, in which Keith Collett gained 17 votes. - Wolverhampton Council election in May 2008Wolverhampton Council election, 2008Elections to Wolverhampton City Council were held on 1 May 2008 in Wolverhampton, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Labour group lost overall control after losing eight seats across the City....
, in which Ray Barry gained 101 votes. - Runnymede Council election in May 2009, in which Keith Collett gained 84 votes.
Two candidates are standing in the United Kingdom general election, 2010, Ray Barry for Wolverhampton South West and Roger Crawford in Oxford East.
Party policies
The party policies are:- Legal presumption of reasonable parenting time in the event of parental separation.
- Shared residence should be normal when there are two fit, capable parents.
- All contact and parenting time arrangements will be governed by the Good Reason Principle.
- The introduction of the Early Interventions Pilot Project, to replace the Family Resolutions Project.
- Compulsory mediation for both parents after separation and before entering into the court system. Any parent refusing to attend may be so ordered by the court and on subsequent refusal will be charged with contempt of court.
- All Family Court cases involving children to be transparent and accountable, and all reporting to be anonymised to protect children from publicity.
- Court orders for contact, parenting time and shared or joint residence, must be enforced by the courts unless there is good reason to do otherwise.
- All allegations of domestic violenceDomestic violenceDomestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
or child abuseChild abuseChild abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
made during a child contact case should be made under oath, and dealt with quickly by a criminal court capable of delivering a clear verdict. - Any parent who deliberately harms a child’s relationship with either parent, without good reason, should be treated as being guilty of emotional and psychological abusePsychological abusePsychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder...
of the child. - All fathers, regardless of marital status or naming on the birth certificate, to be given parental responsibility. Where paternity is in doubt, a DNA test must be used.
- Both parents must have access to a child’s medical and educational records, and full involvement in school activities.
- Grandparents should have a legal right to apply for contact with their grandchildren.