10-05-2010 And so it begins…

The General Election passes into history, even as the talks continue to resolve the final result and the construction of a coalition Government.

For Animals Count we can take great encouragement from our participation in the election process. No one had ever done this before in the UK and no other party has ever dared to step forward and offer a manifesto to the electorate that is so deep and so inclusive with a foundational focus on animal protection issues and embracing a whole range of social justice issues too.

We hold true to our beliefs that we are a Party for animals and people, and we know not only what we are standing against but also what we are standing for.

We have proven something very significant with our campaign. We have proven that we can more than “hold our own” when up against the “big parties” when taking part in hustings events, and we can offer a credible and effective campaign that generates significant and serious press interest.

Animals Count received positive and very useful coverage in the national press and on national television as well as reportage in the local press. This is something of which can be very proud. There were, literally, thousands of candidates taking part in the General Election, and the vast majority of them were not seen in the national press and were not seen on national television. We were!

We have proven that there is an “acceptable face” to animal protection campaigning. We know that there is (a very often unjustified) perception amongst many in the wider community that “animal rights” equates only to aggressive, antagonistic tactics, illegal actions and verbal abuse. But we have shown that the animal protection message is one that can be articulated positively and personably, with intelligence and supported by evidence, and thus is taken seriously by the media and reported in a favourable manner. This is an important step forward and its significance should not be underestimated.

We are greatly heartened by the many messages of support and encouragement we have received from across the country following the election result, and we give our sincere and profound thanks to everyone in the constituency of Islington South & Finsbury who had the courage and the conviction to offer their (extremely important) vote (a precious gift) to Animals Count.

It is a genuinely magnificent feeling to know that despite the best intentions of the “big three” that people are still prepared to resist their demands and vote according to what they know is right and represents real justice for all!

And so, our journey does not end of course with that election which was for us only our first step on a long road to freedom for all.

With your support, we will keep walking the way of truth and justice!