It is expected that the party, campaigning on an anti-abortion platform, will field 50-70 candidates (including up to 10 in Scotland) at the general election. The party initially had a guarantee from Mohamed al-Fayed to underwrite the deposits of party candidates "because he believes that what they are doing is in the long-term interests of everyone in this country." (New Statesman, 20 December 1996). However, following a picket by the National Abortion Campaign outside Harrods, Mr al-Fayed withdrew his financial support for the party. His spokesman, Michael Cole, was quoted in The Times as saying, "Mr Al Fayed is not funding it. He doesn't want to get involved in party politics" (The Times, February 10 1997). Bruno Quintavalle said that al-Fayed's decision was "obviously a setback, but there are other sources of funding."
Strategy
The party intends to target constituencies where they feel none of the candidates is sufficiently pro-life. The party has published a list of 222 MPs who they might stand against, although very few formal selections have been announced so far. The party is expected to write letters to the MPs on its shortlist inviting them to make a public declaration that they will not be voting for abortion. If they do so, the Pro-Life Alliance Party will be withdrawn.
There are close links between the party and the anti-abortion group Life, which decided to support anti-abortion candidates in the general election at its annual meeting on November 16 but is unable to use its charitable funds for political ends. As Bruno Quintavalle, the founder of the party, said in a New Statesman article, "officially Life is not involved."
It has been rumoured that if the party is successful in fielding 50 candidates - entitling it to a Party Election Broadcast - it intends to show footage of an abortion. Party activists are realistic about their chances of electoral success - Mrs Scarisbrick said "We realise that we probably won't win any seats, but we are making a statement. We think it will be important for the world-wide pro-life movement." (PA, 29 Nov 1996)
Bruno Quintivale says the party's aim "is that in five to ten years' time one of the main political parties, or even a new political party, will make pro-life a manifesto commitment." (New Statesman, 20 December 1996)
Quintavalle draws parallels with what the Referendum Party has achieved on Europe - "We hope that, in the future, the local Parties will also consider the candidate's views on life issues, once they see that there is a life vote out there and it is one that they will have to take into account." (On The Record, 17 November 1996)
Party Telephone Number: 0171 306 3210