The Campaign to Decriminalise Abortion
This page was originally created prior to the Ten Minute Rule Bill debate on Diana Johnson's Abortion Bill on October 23rd. Scroll down for the initial briefing. Updates are provided at the top of the page.
A new development: Please contact Peers urgently
Posted 27th October
Last Wednesday, 24th October, the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill, was fast-tracked through the Commons. This is a Government Bill designed to address the practical issues arising from the current absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly.
Despite Government opposition, a new Clause was added by backbenchers concerning abortion (and same sex marriage). The abortion part states:
"In the absence of Northern Ireland Ministers to address the matters identified by recent, current and future court proceedings in relation to the human rights of the people of Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State must issue guidance to senior officers of all Northern Ireland departments which will specify how to exercise their functions in relation to--
(a) the incompatibility of the human rights of the people of Northern Ireland with the continued enforcement of sections 58 and 59 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 with the Human Rights Act 1998"
It was pointed out in debate that as abortion is a devolved matter there is no legal requirement to change the law and the [alleged] incompatibility can stand.
Note also that the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) states:
".. the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth".
The new Clause was approved by 207 votes to 117. (You will find the debate and linked voting record here. The voting record initially appeared to contain some errors but it looks like that is now rectified.)
This Clause now forms part of the Bill (as Clause 4) and this has now gone to the Lords. It is scheduled to be fast-tracked through all its Lords stages this coming Tuesday 30th October and, if approved, will then only require Royal Assent before becoming law.
In view of the extremely short time period the Lords have to consider the implications of this Clause lobbying Peers would also serve to inform them.
Right to Life has set up a quick facility and you will find it here. There is a standard wording which you can edit as you wish. You can also contact as many Peers as you wish so you can use this facility multiple times.
If you wish to contact Peers directly you will find their contact details here.
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Update on Diana Johnson's Abortion Bill
Posted 25th October
Following the Ten Minute Rule Bill debate on Tuesday Diana Johnson MP was given leave to table her Abortion Bill by 208 votes to 123. The Second Reading in the House of Commons is scheduled for 23rd November. You will find the debate and link to the voting record here. The Parliamentary web page for the bill is here. Further information on this will be provided when available.
A new development: Please contact Peers urgently
Posted 27th October
Last Wednesday, 24th October, the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill, was fast-tracked through the Commons. This is a Government Bill designed to address the practical issues arising from the current absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly.
Despite Government opposition, a new Clause was added by backbenchers concerning abortion (and same sex marriage). The abortion part states:
"In the absence of Northern Ireland Ministers to address the matters identified by recent, current and future court proceedings in relation to the human rights of the people of Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State must issue guidance to senior officers of all Northern Ireland departments which will specify how to exercise their functions in relation to--
(a) the incompatibility of the human rights of the people of Northern Ireland with the continued enforcement of sections 58 and 59 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 with the Human Rights Act 1998"
It was pointed out in debate that as abortion is a devolved matter there is no legal requirement to change the law and the [alleged] incompatibility can stand.
Note also that the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) states:
".. the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth".
The new Clause was approved by 207 votes to 117. (You will find the debate and linked voting record here. The voting record initially appeared to contain some errors but it looks like that is now rectified.)
This Clause now forms part of the Bill (as Clause 4) and this has now gone to the Lords. It is scheduled to be fast-tracked through all its Lords stages this coming Tuesday 30th October and, if approved, will then only require Royal Assent before becoming law.
In view of the extremely short time period the Lords have to consider the implications of this Clause lobbying Peers would also serve to inform them.
Right to Life has set up a quick facility and you will find it here. There is a standard wording which you can edit as you wish. You can also contact as many Peers as you wish so you can use this facility multiple times.
If you wish to contact Peers directly you will find their contact details here.
--------------------
Update on Diana Johnson's Abortion Bill
Posted 25th October
Following the Ten Minute Rule Bill debate on Tuesday Diana Johnson MP was given leave to table her Abortion Bill by 208 votes to 123. The Second Reading in the House of Commons is scheduled for 23rd November. You will find the debate and link to the voting record here. The Parliamentary web page for the bill is here. Further information on this will be provided when available.
Thank you for all you are doing and please keep this in your prayers.
Initial briefing
Posted early October
At present abortion remains a criminal act unless the conditions specified in the 1967 Abortion Act are met. Although these conditions have been liberally interpreted they still provide some important protections for both women and their babies and also for medical professionals.
Early in 2016 BPAS launched the We Trust Women campaign. This campaign, which now has the official support of the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the British Medical Association, is clear that its aim is to legalise abortion right up to birth for any reason. However, subsequent indications were that an attempt would first be made to decriminalise only to viability.
On Thursday 23rd October Diana Johnson MP will present a “Ten Minute Rule Bill” aimed at decriminalising abortion, possibly up to 28 weeks. Although such Bills are unlikely to succeed it will both test the water and attract publicity to its cause ahead of the expected subsequent tabling of an amendment to the same effect to a Government Bill (probably the Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill). If this amendment is passed the first stage in this campaign will have been accomplished and it will:
- Permit online and over-the-counter sale of abortion pills. Women could be aborting at home, possibly alone and with no medical oversight. The dangers are explained here.
- Permit abortion without any medical assessment of the balance of risks, thus denying women the opportunity this should provide to explore other options.
- Permit abortion for any and all reasons, including sex selection.
- Leave women even more vulnerable to pressure to abort and to abuse.
- Leave virtually no protection for freedom of conscience for medical professionals, resulting in their effective exclusion from the relevant professions and the denial of trusted guidance to pro-life women in pregnancy.
This radical proposal is clearly not in women's best interests. Neither is it supported by women.
Abortion law is currently complex, varies across the UK and is governed by the interaction of up to three separate Acts of Parliament. It should not, therefore, be assumed that busy MPs are fully aware of the legal implications of what is proposed. (For a clear and succinct explanation of these see Life's briefing.) It is therefore essential that MPs are made aware not only of their constituents’ concerns but also of the legal and practical basis for them, preferably ahead of the 23rd October debate.
We are called to give witness
and now is the time
and now is the time
Please sign this Life petition to the Home Secretary then
If time is short:
You could use this very quick facility to register your concern with your MP. The pre-prepared email for your MP includes a link to this short but powerful briefing. Thank you.
If you can spare more time:
A personalised approach is always preferable. Please pick up one or two points which particularly resonate with you, preferably after looking at this briefing from Life (first resource listed below). Thank you.
If time is short:
You could use this very quick facility to register your concern with your MP. The pre-prepared email for your MP includes a link to this short but powerful briefing. Thank you.
If you can spare more time:
A personalised approach is always preferable. Please pick up one or two points which particularly resonate with you, preferably after looking at this briefing from Life (first resource listed below). Thank you.
RESOURCES
1 A comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of the impact of these moves and guidance on action, prepared by Life: Proposal to repeal abortion laws
2 Specific guidance for actions ahead of the 23rd October debate from SPUC including the offer of postcards to be sent to MPs: Vote against the ten minute rule bill
3 For information on your MP’s voting record on abortion see: Votes on abortion-related bills
4 To find your MP and contact details go to: UK Parliament MPs
2 Specific guidance for actions ahead of the 23rd October debate from SPUC including the offer of postcards to be sent to MPs: Vote against the ten minute rule bill
3 For information on your MP’s voting record on abortion see: Votes on abortion-related bills
4 To find your MP and contact details go to: UK Parliament MPs
Enquiries to Pauline Gately: p.gately@btinternet.com