Father's Day Manifesto Responses

 
18/06/04

“I have no doubt that maintaining good quality contact with both parents, where it is safe and in the best interests of the child, is key to a happy childhood. Of course responsible parents want the best for their children.

I realize that, where relationships break down, for whatever reason, there can be a great deal of heartache and sadness on all sides if parents and children can not stay in touch.

Where it is in the best interests of the child, we want to support all parents to maintain contact with their children. We are very supportive of fathers’ engagement with their children which is why we were the first government to introduce paid paternity leave and flexible working for fathers as well as mothers.”

Prime Minister - Rt Hon Tony Blair MP

10/06/04

"With around 4 million children living apart from natural parents it is important that those children enjoy contact with both parents as much as possible where that can be achieved. Too many non-resident parents are being failed by the system and deprived of the access to their children which they deserve and from which their children derive great benefit. The Conservative Party is determined to raise this problem up the political agenda and promote the rights and responsibilities of shared parenting. Families Need Fathers, as the oldest of the bodies addressing this issue, is playing an important role and we look forward to working with them and other responsible organisations who are seeking to redress the balance."

Rt Hon Michael Howard QC MP

16/06/04

“I am delighted to send my support to Families Need Fathers. By highlighting the problems that fathers encounter when seeking child access, Families Need Fathers is making an invaluable contribution to the debate on parental rights.

The absence of the paternal influence in a child's life can be as devastating for the father as it is for the child. We must never forget that contact with both parents is desirable and beneficial, and more often than not its the children who lose out from acrimonious legal battles over custody.

I wish Families Need Fathers well with your endeavours and congratulate you on your hard work and dedication to this extremely valuable cause. “

Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP

11/06/04

“Nothing is more important in a child’s life than their relationship with both their parents. Everything that we know confirms that the quality of parenting in the home is the key to enabling a child to fulfil their potential. That is why it is best for the child if parents agree between themselves how to manage contact and access when they separate and divorce. We can help to support parents to come to the best arrangements for their children but in the end it’s how parents themselves cope with their separation that makes all the difference to their children’

Battles in court can make life even more difficult for the children and often can make the relationship between the separated parents even more bitter and negative. We are clear that the welfare of the child must always be paramount in any decision-making concerning a child’s future. This is the key principal underpinning the Children’s Act 1989. We are looking at what more can be done to ease the situation so that children benefit from a continuing relationship with both their parents where it is safe for them to do so.”

Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE - Minister for Children, Young People & Families

"Thank you very much indeed for your letter of 9th June and for a copy of your, 'Father's Day Manifesto'. It has much to commend it, and I was grateful to see the copy.

I am aware that there are a good many fathers up and down the country, who feel that following divorce proceedings they have received a very rough deal in relation to access to their children. I am also aware that there is a group of fathers, who have taken to direct action to make their point. Whilst I am sympathetic to the idea of justice for fathers in the light of marital breakdown, I do not think it is helpful for organisations to involve themselves in direct action. That said, I can understand the great frustration that a lot of fathers must feel, in relation to the way the law appears to work at present.

I was delighted to receive your communication and hope that your work in seeking to keep children and parents in contact will continue."

The Right Reverend Michael Hill - Bishop of Bristol

14/06/04

"Thank you for your letter of 9th June which I will draw the attention to all staff in CAFCASS Legal, as well as pinning it up on the notice board within our offices."

Charles Priest - Director of CAFCASS Legal Services

24/06/04

“Thank you for your letter of the 9th June enclosing the Father’s Day Manifesto. It is well timed for the anticipated green paper.”

Rt Hon Lord Justice Thorpe

11/06/04

"Thank you for your letter in which you ask me to sign Early Day Motion 299. EDMs are merely a means by which Members can express their views on a given topic. There is no tangible result from Early Day Motions, such as a ministerial response, ... as there are now about one thousand per session, and they are ineffective. That is why, therefore, I always raise the subject of Early Day Motions with the relevant Minister which I will do in this case"

Nick Hawkins - MP for Surrey Heath

14/06/04

"Thank you for your letter of 9th June 2004, about Families Need Fathers. I have signed EDM 299 and I do support your fair aims and objectives."

John Wilkinson - MP for Ruislip - Northwood

14/06/04

"acknowledges with thanks the receipt of your communication on 9th June, regarding EDM299 the content of which has been noted. The EDM has already been signed"

Rt Hon Virginia Bottomley - MP for South West Surrey

15/06/04

"I will ensue that Rosie has sight of your correspondence. However, I hope you will understand that Ministers are unable to sign Early Day Motions."

Secretary to Rosie Winterton - MP for Doncaster Central

15/06/04

"as a government minister, and by convention, I do not sign Early Day Motions. I regret therefore, that I am unable to sign this EDM although I have noted your comments."

Don Touhig - MP for Islwyn, Gwent

18/06/04

"Please be assured that I support your cause and believe very strongly in the need of children for both their parents. I am happy to confirm that I have already signed EDM 229 in favour of shared parenting.

Thank you again for writing to me."

Rt. Hon. Ann Widdecombe MP

16/06/04

"The principle that the welfare of the child must always come first, in any decision concerning the child's future, has no stronger support than me. I also believe that adhering to this principle means ensuring children enjoy, and benefit from, equal contact with both parents.

Of course, the child-first principle will mean denial of access to a parent where incompetence or threat of abuse puts a child in danger. However, legal proceedings that result in a routine 'winner takes all' outcome, depriving a child of equal access to one parent without good reason, should also be seen as a threat to the child's well being.

Everything we know points to parenting as the key to a child's fulfillment of their potential. Curtailment of a child's life-chances through the unreasonable denial of a fulfilling relationship with both parents should be seen, therefore, as socially and morally unacceptable."

Bob Wicks FREC - Chief Executive  and Mayor of Harpenden

18/06/04

"I am well aware of the tremendous battle you have had to raise the plight of those fathers who are denied access. The organisation has conducted itself with dignity through those years offering essential support to those suffering immense heartache whilst lobbying for that much needed and overdue change towards equal parental rights.

I was one of the lucky few who obtained equal rights of parenting. The time has surely come for the courts as a matter of course to recognise the benefits to the children of shared parenting. The debate continues, this Government must acknowledge equality of gender for parenting as it so willingly does in the workplace and many other institutions. I unreservedly endorse the entire manifesto."

Councillor Paul Batchelor, West Wilts District Council -