Every year, thousands of children in Scotland lose a parent.
This is not because of unavoidable family tragedy, but simply because of the actions of one person. If one parent chooses to completely eliminate the other, our family justice system will do nothing to protect the children's right to two parents and a balanced family life.
These children's lives are permanently damaged - and many will lose half their grandparents and extended family too - for no good reason.
Traditional politics is increasingly irrelevant to our society, I think politics should be about ordinary, decent people doing what is right. I am proud to be standing for a new party, the Equal Parenting Alliance. Quite simply, we believe the family justice system should put the needs and rights of children before the rights and wishes of either parent.
I want the people of Scotland to have the chance to show they put the welfare of children before everything else. Of course, we would prefer to stand in every seat in Scotland, but being new we can't afford that! I therefore decided to stand here because Cathy Jamieson, as the Scottish Justice Minister, could have done something to help these children. She chose not to.
If you want to send a signal that the family justice system should protect and respect the rights of children, please give me your vote. This is not a vote for me, but a vote for your children and the generations to come.
