Equal Parenting Alliance

The Equal Parenting Alliance (EPA) is a political party inthe United Kingdom. Founded in early 2006. [cite web|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/regulatory-issues/regpoliticalparties.cfm?frmGB=1&frmPartyID=643&frmType=partydetail|title=UK Register of Political Parties|accessdate=2008-05-20|date=2008-05-20|publisher=" [Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)] "] 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. [ cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-143725527.html|title=Fathers start political party|accessdate=2008-05-11|date=2006-03-27|publisher="Liverpool Echo"] [cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-121055013.html|title= New fathers' party formed |date=2006-04-01|accessdate=2008-05-11|publisher="Birmingham Post"]

According to "The Guardian", the party support 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." [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2004/jul/11/childrensservices.politics|accessdate=2008-05-11
date=2004-07-11|title=Equal custody for 'weekend dads'|author=Gaby Hinsliff|publisher="The Guardian"]

Organisation and membership

The internal organisation of the Equal Parenting Alliance Party is a described in the party constitution [cite web|url=http://www.equalparentingalliance.org/downloads/EPA_Constitution.pdf|title=Equal Parenting Alliance Constitution Document|accessdate=2008-05-20|date=2006-02-09] and is made up of a committee and members. The Electoral Commission registry of parties shows that it can contest elections anywhere in the United Kingdom and European Parliament elections [http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/regulatory-issues/regpoliticalparties.cfm?frmGB=1&frmPartyID=643&frmType=partydetail Electoral Commission registry of parties] ] . The party membership is currently (early 2008) less than 100. [EPA Accounts 2007, Page 2]

According to accounts filed with the Electoral Commission party income in the year ending 31 December 2006 was £1,245 [cite web|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/templates/search/document.cfm/19449|title=Registered Party Accounts|accessdate=2008-05-20|date=2007-05-23|publisher=" [Electoral Commission (United Kingdom)] "] and according to the parties own web-site income in 2007 was about £2,500. [cite web|url=http://www.equalparentingalliance.org/downloads/EPA_Accounts_2007.pdf|title=Accounts 2007|accessdate=2008-05-20|date=2008-03-31|publisher=Equal Parenting Alliance]

Elections

The party has so far fought in three elections.
#Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Scottish Parliament constituency) election in May 2007. Candidate Ray Barry gained 124 votes. [ [http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/elections/msp/results2007.htm Sounth Ayrshire Council website] ]
#Runnymede Local Government Elections in May 2007. Candidate Keith Collette gained Runnymede Council election, 2007 17 votes] .
#Wolverhampton Local Government Elections in May 2008. Candidate Ray Barry gained 101 votes. [ [http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-elections-2008/wolverhampton/ Coventry Telegraph] ]

The party website says it is pleased with the press coverage gained in elections, especially in the Scottish Parliamentary elections where Ray Barry was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6567017.stm|title=Radio Scotland Interview|accessdate=2008-05-20|date=2007-05-01|publisher="BBC"] during the campaign and the campaign was also reported in Scottish Christian News [cite web|url=http://www.scottishchristian.com/monitor/archives/2007/04/entry_405.shtml|title=Scottish Christian News|accessdate=2008-05-20|date=2007-04-24|publisher=Scottish Christian News] .

Party policies

These are the current party policies. [ [http://www.equalparentingalliance.org/policy-index.html Party policies on the EPA website] ]

Legal presumption of reasonable parenting time

The EPA calls for a legal presumption of reasonable parenting time for children and both parents, in the event of parental separation.

hared residence should be normal

A shared residence arrangement should be the normal arrangement when there are two fit, capable parents.

Good reason principle

All contact and parenting time arrangements will be governed by the Good Reason Principle.

Introduction of Early Interventions Pilot Project

The immediate introduction of the Early Interventions Pilot Project, [ [http://www.equalparentingalliance.org/early-interventions.html EIPP on the EPA website] ] to replace the Family Resolutions Project

Compulsory mediation

Mediation to be compulsory 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.

Open Family Courts

All Family Court cases involving children to be transparent, open and accountable, and all reporting to be anonymised to protect children from publicity.

Enforcement of Court Orders

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.

Allegations in Family Courts made under oath

All allegations of domestic violence or child abuse made by one party against the other during a child contact case, should be made under oath, and dealt with quickly by a criminal court capable of delivering a clear verdict. This is in order to prevent such allegations being made maliciously; and to ensure the safety of the alleged victim and any other children the alleged perpetrator is in contact with.

Recognition of parental alienation

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 abuse of the child. The EPA calls on the government and the authorities to recognise Parental Alienation as emotional abuse of the child.

Automatic parental responsibility for both parents

All fathers, regardless of marital status, or whether they are named on the birth certificate of their natural child, to be given parental responsibility. Where paternity is in doubt, a DNA test must be used to decide the issue.

Parental responsibility to have legal backing

Both parents must have full access to a child’s medical and educational records, and full involvement in school activities regardless of their residence status.

Grandparents given improved rights

Grandparents should have a legal right to apply for contact with their grand-children.

References

External links

* [http://www.equalparentingalliance.org Party web site]
* [http://www.equalparentingscotland.com Party Scottish Site]
* [http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk UK Electoral Commission]
* [http://www.dadsontheair.net/Archives/2007/tabid/60/Default.aspx Party leader Ray Barry speaking on family law on Australian "Dads on the Air" radio program] .