Electoral pact rumours downplayed
The Countryside Alliance and the UK Independence Party have both dismissed suggestions they have formed a tactical pact with pressure group Fathers 4 Justice to contest Labour seats at the next general election.
Earlier in the day on Tuesday, the fathers’ rights group claimed to be in dialogue with anti-Europe party UKIP on how to boost their electoral showing.
It also said it was planning to build a strategy of direct action with pro-hunting group, the Countryside Alliance, ahead of the election, expected on May 5th.
Matt O’Connor, founder of Fathers 4 Justice, said an alliance of groups could unite to form a strategy against Labour in local constituencies.
“Any one of these parties or groupings does not necessarily have the muscle on their own. But if we see the Countryside Alliance, UKIP and Fathers 4 Justice working together it becomes a very different animal – and an animal with teeth.”
But last night, the Countryside Alliance said it had not held talks with either Fathers 4 Justice or UKIP.
Given the “restrictive” election laws, the alliance would not be fighting for seats in the general election, the statement said.
A spokesman for UKIP said: “I think this is over-egging the pudding a bit. I had a chat with a Fathers 4 Justice press officer this morning but that fell somewhat short of an agreement.
“We are not unsympathetic to their aims, while not supporting their means of highlighting them. There isn’t an agreement. We certainly support some of the arguments they make but there is no agreement.”
Fathers 4 Justice campaigners seized the headlines last year with a series of high profile acts including throwing flower at Tony Blair in the Commons and climbing Buckingham Palace.
One member of Fathers 4 Justice handcuffed himself to Children’s Minister Margaret Hodge.
Mr O’Connor said it was a certainty that the group would stand against Ms Hodge in her Barking constituency at the election, given her “fundamental” opposition to the principle of equal parenting.
It will also contest the seat held by Education Secretary Ruth Kelly.
