During the London elections of May 1st, 2008, Animals Count (AC) became the first political party for the animals to contest a UK election. Launched in 2006 by London-based animal welfare scientist and educator Jasmijn de Boo, AC was established to raise the status of animal issues within UK politics. We’ve grown from the successful Dutch Party for the Animals, which is the fastest growing political party in Europe. Animals Count aims to set the standard as the political party advocating most strongly for animals within the UK, whilst also supporting other socially and environmentally responsible policies. We seek to demonstrate by example, that comprehensive, well-reasoned policies on animal issues are not only possible, but desirable, and can enhance the manifestos of political parties. We’ve had some success at encouraging the adoption of animal-friendly policies by other parties with a far greater command of political power. Indeed, the potential to positively influence much larger parties offers the greatest potential benefits. Accordingly, we have met various MPs to advocate animal-friendly policies. Additionally, we seek to demonstrate that voters care about animal issues, by directly contesting elections. This presentation by AC’s Spokesperson reviews political parties and actions for animals within Europe and abroad; describes the development of AC; outlines our main policies; and our strategies for raising the status of animal issues within UK politics.

1. Animals Count:
A Political Party for People and Animals
Dr Andrew Knight
Spokesperson

3. Founding of the Dutch
‘Party for the Animals’
• Political Party for the Animals
established in Oct. 2002, when
parliament fell
• 3 months to prepare for elections in Jan
2003 with no budget, resources and
hardly any campaigning
• Result: almost one seat in Parliament
(>49,000 votes, <500 votes short)

4. Results EP elections 2004
• 3.2% of the votes, whilst 3.7%
needed… (>153,000 votes)
• % of votes would have resulted
in 5 seats had these been
national Parliamentary elections
• Important effect on other parties,
who added AW policy to their
programmes!
• Party for the Animals became a
watchdog party

5. Party for the Animals website, 2005

7. Political parties for the animals
internationally
• The Netherlands
• Austria
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Canada
• Israel
• Australia
Details: www.AnimalsCount.org, ‘Similar Initiatives’

8. Dutch elections November 2006
• 20 celebrities (authors, artists, tv presenters etc.) showed support by
signing on to the electoral list
• Full-fledged campaign from Sept. ’06
– New website, Party for the Animals TV, e-campaigns
• Huge media interest and predictions of 2-3 seats prior to elections
• Results: 180,000 votes (nearly 2%) for the PvdD resulting in 2 out of
150 seats in national parliament. Historic achievement!

11. Dutch provincial state
elections, March 2007
• 9 representatives elected in 8 (out of 12) Dutch
Provincial States
• Members of Provincial States elected the first Senator
for the Party for the Animals in June 2007

12. Jasmijn de Boo

13. UK support for similar party
• Around 3 million supporters of animal
protection organisations
• About 7% vegetarians
• Free range & organic farming on the rise
• Animal welfare education increasing
• Strict animal protection legislation
• Animal protection philosophies and strategies
copied around the world

14. Animals Count launch 2006
• Established supporter group Oct 2006
• Developed outline manifesto
• Set up website
• Registered the party
• Launched 3rd December during Christmas
Without Cruelty Fayre
• Huge media interest (BBC worldwide)

15. Celebrity supporters
“The animals can't vote.
That's why we need a
political party that stands
up for them. And in the
EU elections, thanks to
proportional
representation, small
parties like Animals
Count have a fair chance
of winning a seat.”
Dr. Brian May Twiggy Jeffrey Masson
Prof Robert Garner Benjamin Zephaniah Maria Daines Dr Who??

16. Raison d'être
Broad concern for animals is a mainstream
priority, which is poorly reflected in the
policies of most political parties

17. Political objectives
• Within the UK, Animals Count aims to set the standard as
the political party advocating most strongly for animals,
whilst also supporting other socially and
environmentally responsible policies.
• Through several mechanisms, we aim to elevate the status
of animal issues within politics:
 We seek to demonstrate by example, that comprehensive, well-
reasoned policies on animal issues are not only possible, but
desirable, and can enhance the manifestos of political parties.

18.  We encourage the adoption of animal-friendly policies by other
parties (the potential to positively influence much larger parties
offers the greatest potential benefits).
 We seek to demonstrate that voters care about animal issues, by
directly contesting elections, particularly where proportional
representation exists.
 We educate the electorate about the animal policies of
candidates from other political parties.
 We cooperate with pro-animal parties/candidates.

19. Main policy objectives
 Phase out farming systems with poor welfare
consequences for animals.
 End long distance transportation of live animals.
 Establish a transparent, independent scientific
inquiry to thoroughly review the ethical, scientific
and economic implications of animal research.
 Banning all hunting, without loopholes.
 Establish a basic national animal health care system.

20. Companion animals
 Basic national animal healthcare system.
 Mandatory Responsible Animal Care Certificate: basic
preventative health care, nutrition, behaviour,
socialisation, training and pet insurance. Non-compliance
would risk fines, that would be used to fund the system.
 Also mandatory: pet Identification & Registration, annual
veterinary checkups, and neutering by sexual maturity or
earlier, other than in special circumstances.

21.  Animal Protection Officer employed by each local council.
 Increased penalties for convicted animal abusers (with mandatory
completion of a Responsible Animal Care course).
 Restriction/regulation of breeding, particularly of animals with
hereditary characteristics contrary to good welfare.
 Regulation of pet stores.
 Restrict of exotic animals as pets.
 Crack down on dog fighting.

22. London Assembly Elections
May 2008
• End March 2008: decided to contest
• Lambeth/Southwark constituency
(£1,000 deposit)
• Raised funds, printed & distributed
10,000 leaflets on a shoestring budget
• Media: local newspapers, BBC online
• Kennington Park Party for the Animals

25. Results
• 1,828 votes (1.12%)
• More than Socialist Party (1,588; 0.97%)
• Independent candidates typically received 100-700
votes
• Increased public profile/membership
• Articles in Veterinary Practice, Veterinary Review
• A seat near Parliament

26. European Parliamentary
elections: 4 June 2009
th

27. European Parliamentary
elections – voting system
Closed Party List System
“Electors vote for a party in a multi-member
constituency; each party receives seats in the
constituency in the same proportion as the votes it won
in that constituency. The parties determine the ranking
of their list of candidates; the elector has no say as to
which candidates are elected as they simply vote for a
party.”

28. First main fundraising letter, November 2008

29. Winter 08/09
Fundraising dinner 12/12/08 raising over
£600
Sponsored dog walk 08/02/09 raising over
£400

30. Vegan 3 Peaks Challenge May ‘09
Raised £1300!
www.vegan3peaks.info

31. Total amount raised ±
9000
(includes regular donations/memberships)
Total campaign expenses
9511.69
(excluding personal costs)

32. EU Election campaign lauch 18/04/09

33. Election results 07/06/09
(0.82%)
Beating Libertas, the Jury Team and an Independent
candidate 

35. The future…

36. Thanks for your attention!
Alguna
pregunta?