Abortion up to birth voted though — supported by only 1% of Brits | UK | News
Peers have cleared the way for abortion up to birth in England and Wales, defeating a last-ditch attempt to stop one of the most contentious pieces of legislation from passing Parliament in living memory.
The House of Lords rejected Conservative Party Baroness Monckton’s proposal to remove the clause from the Crime and Police Bill by 185 votes to 148. The provision, approved in the House of Commons last June, would eliminate criminal liability for terminations for any reason at any stage of pregnancy, including birth (including gender selection).
Former Health Secretary Maria Caulfield warned that the change would mean “infanticide will be possible without any legal consequences”, adding that “our society will be harmed and its moral credibility will be greatly diminished”.
Right to Life spokeswoman Catherine Robinson described the legislation as “one of the most extreme pieces of legislation ever passed through the House of Commons and the House of Lords”.
“It is a travesty that such a massive and horrific change in legislation should be allowed to happen that would directly endanger the lives of unborn babies and their mothers well beyond the point where they can survive outside the womb,” he said.
“There is no public desire for this change and it was not part of the Government’s manifesto.”
The public has no appetite
According to GB News’ report, public opposition to this measure is very serious. Research by Savanta ComRes reveals that only one per cent of the British population supports abortion up to birth. Campaigners against the provision have warned that the law would lead to a significant increase in the number of women having late-term births without medical supervision.
Supporters have said the main purpose of the amendment is to ensure that no woman faces “investigation, arrest, prosecution or imprisonment” for terminating her own pregnancy.
A separate attempt to overturn rules on abortion pills also failed. Peers rejected amendment 425, put forward by Baroness Stroud, which sought to require a mandatory face-to-face appointment with a clinician before the drug is dispensed. The difference was decisive; 191 votes to 119.
The report states that women whose pregnancy is less than ten weeks are currently allowed to take the pills at home; This is a practice that would be subject to new restrictions under the rescinded amendment.
Donations accepted
In the third vote, the Lords granted amnesty to women with historic criminal convictions for terminating their own pregnancies. The measure increased from 180 to 58.
Termination remains a criminal act in England and Wales in the absence of medical permission, but is legal for up to 24 weeks with a registered provider. A narrow group of exceptions allow the procedure beyond this point, especially if continuing the pregnancy would endanger the mother’s life or if the fetus has been diagnosed with a serious abnormality.
If the House of Commons amendment reaches the statute book, people (including medical professionals) who help a woman terminate a pregnancy after the 24-week threshold will remain subject to prosecution.
