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Theresa May to oppose vote on Northern Ireland abortion law Theresa May to oppose MPs' vote on Northern Ireland abortion law
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Theresa May will oppose plans to let MPs vote to liberalise Northern Ireland’s oppressive abortion laws, Downing Street has signalled.Theresa May will oppose plans to let MPs vote to liberalise Northern Ireland’s oppressive abortion laws, Downing Street has signalled.
The prime minister believes that it would be wrong for Westminster to legislate on a a matter that should be decided by the devolved administration in Belfast and ministers fear that imposing pro-choice laws on Northern Ireland could backfire. The prime minister believes that it would be wrong for Westminster to legislate on a matter that should be decided by the devolved administration in Belfast and ministers fear that imposing pro-choice laws on Northern Ireland could backfire.
But May is likely to face strong pressure to allow a parliamentary vote, with her cabinet colleague Penny Mordaunt, the women and equalities minister, saying at the weekend that the hope for change in Northern Ireland “must be met” amid calls for the region to have a referendum.But May is likely to face strong pressure to allow a parliamentary vote, with her cabinet colleague Penny Mordaunt, the women and equalities minister, saying at the weekend that the hope for change in Northern Ireland “must be met” amid calls for the region to have a referendum.
The landslide vote in favour of liberalising abortion laws in the Republic of Ireland has put the spotlight on Northern Ireland, which will be the only place in the British Isles where abortion is in most circumstances illegal. The 1967 Abortion Act was never extended to the region, and abortion is only allowed if the life or mental health of the mother is at risk. Following the Irish referendum, Northern Ireland is the only place in the UK and Ireland – and most of Europe – where terminations are outlawed apart from in the most exceptional circumstances.
The UK Abortion Act of 1967 was never extended to Northern Ireland, and abortion remains illegal unless the life or mental health of the mother is at risk. Northern Ireland has the harshest criminal penalty for abortion anywhere in Europe; in theory, life imprisonment can be handed down to a woman undergoing an unlawful abortion.
Fatal foetal abnormalities and conceptions by rape or incest are not lawful grounds for a termination.
Most politicians in Northern Ireland – Catholic and Protestant – do not favour reform, despite the UN saying the UK was violating the rights of women in Northern Ireland by restricting their access to abortion.
In 2016 more than 700 women from Northern Ireland crossed the Irish Sea to clinics in Britain to terminate pregnancies.
The landslide vote in favour of liberalising abortion laws in the Irish Republic has put the spotlight on Northern Ireland, which will be the only place in Britain and Ireland where abortion is in most circumstances illegal. The 1967 Abortion Act was never extended to the region, and abortion is only allowed if the life or mental health of the mother is at risk.
On Sunday a Downing Street source said May believed abortion reform was “an issue for Northern Ireland” and that the problem highlighted the need for the power-sharing executive at Stormont, which has been in abeyance since it collapsed in January last year, to be restored.On Sunday a Downing Street source said May believed abortion reform was “an issue for Northern Ireland” and that the problem highlighted the need for the power-sharing executive at Stormont, which has been in abeyance since it collapsed in January last year, to be restored.
Rory Stewart, a justice minister, went further, telling the BBC’s Sunday Politics that for Westminster to legislate on the matter would be counterproductive. “It isn’t the job – and it would be very, very dangerous – for British politicians to be seen to be telling people in Northern Ireland how to vote,” Stewart said.Rory Stewart, a justice minister, went further, telling the BBC’s Sunday Politics that for Westminster to legislate on the matter would be counterproductive. “It isn’t the job – and it would be very, very dangerous – for British politicians to be seen to be telling people in Northern Ireland how to vote,” Stewart said.
He said the UK government was acting as a “caretaker” administration in the absence of a Stormont executive and “that must not be used to make fundamental constitutional, ethical changes on behalf of the people in Northern Ireland”.He said the UK government was acting as a “caretaker” administration in the absence of a Stormont executive and “that must not be used to make fundamental constitutional, ethical changes on behalf of the people in Northern Ireland”.
But many MPs want the House of Commons to settle the issue, and the Labour MP Stella Creasy has said she intends to force a vote by tabling an amendment to the forthcoming domestic violence bill.But many MPs want the House of Commons to settle the issue, and the Labour MP Stella Creasy has said she intends to force a vote by tabling an amendment to the forthcoming domestic violence bill.
Sir Vince Cable, the Lib Dem leader, said on Sunday that the deadlock in Northern Ireland meant that the Westminster government was entitled to take the initiative. “In Northern Ireland women have suffered from antiquated, inhumane criminalisation for far too long. Theresa May cannot remain silent on this issue,” he said.Sir Vince Cable, the Lib Dem leader, said on Sunday that the deadlock in Northern Ireland meant that the Westminster government was entitled to take the initiative. “In Northern Ireland women have suffered from antiquated, inhumane criminalisation for far too long. Theresa May cannot remain silent on this issue,” he said.
“Since there is, effectively, direct rule from Westminster, the UK government has the responsibility. It can and should take the opportunity to deal with this issue properly.”“Since there is, effectively, direct rule from Westminster, the UK government has the responsibility. It can and should take the opportunity to deal with this issue properly.”
Abortion will not immediately be available to women within Ireland.
The eighth amendment – article 40.3.3 of the Irish constitution – which prohibited abortion, will be replaced with a clause stating: “Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancy.”
The Irish government is planning to bring legislation before the Dáil, providing for abortion on request up to the 12th week of pregnancy, with a three-day “cooling off” period before medication is administered.
The prime minister, Leo Varadkar, said he wanted the new law to be enacted by the end of the year.
Between 12 and 24 weeks, abortion will be available only in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, a risk to a woman’s life or a risk of serious harm to the health of the mother. After 24 weeks, termination will be possible in cases of fatal foetal abnormality.
There will be provision for conscientious objection among medical practitioners, although doctors will be obliged to transfer care of the pregnant woman to another doctor.
Anne Milton, the skills minister, told the BBC she thought there would be “a significant majority” in favour of liberalising the abortion laws in the Commons. Abortion is traditionally a matter on which MPs are given a free vote.Anne Milton, the skills minister, told the BBC she thought there would be “a significant majority” in favour of liberalising the abortion laws in the Commons. Abortion is traditionally a matter on which MPs are given a free vote.
Under the Sewel convention, the UK government has agreed that it will not normally legislate on matters that are the responsibility of devolved administrations without their consent. On those grounds ministers could try to prevent a vote taking place on the domestic violence bill, or on other legislation.Under the Sewel convention, the UK government has agreed that it will not normally legislate on matters that are the responsibility of devolved administrations without their consent. On those grounds ministers could try to prevent a vote taking place on the domestic violence bill, or on other legislation.
Mordaunt tweeted on Saturday: “Based on the exit poll, a historic and great day for Ireland, and a hopeful one for Northern Ireland. That hope must be met.”Mordaunt tweeted on Saturday: “Based on the exit poll, a historic and great day for Ireland, and a hopeful one for Northern Ireland. That hope must be met.”
She did not say she thought it was for the Commons to change the law, but a report in the Sunday Times she said she favoured MPs having a free vote, as do the four previous women and equalities ministers, Amber Rudd, Justine Greening, Nicky Morgan and Maria Miller. She did not say she thought it was for the Commons to change the law, but in a report in the Sunday Times she said she favoured MPs having a free vote, as do the four previous women and equalities ministers: Amber Rudd, Justine Greening, Nicky Morgan and Maria Miller.
Sarah Wollaston, the Conservative MP who chairs the Commons health committee, said although she would personally vote in favour of liberalising laws in Northern Ireland, she thought the Commons Speaker might refuse to allow such a vote on the grounds that it was a devolved matter.Sarah Wollaston, the Conservative MP who chairs the Commons health committee, said although she would personally vote in favour of liberalising laws in Northern Ireland, she thought the Commons Speaker might refuse to allow such a vote on the grounds that it was a devolved matter.
But as an alternative MPs should “at the very least” press for a referendum in Northern Ireland on the matter, she said. Miller has also called for a referendum.But as an alternative MPs should “at the very least” press for a referendum in Northern Ireland on the matter, she said. Miller has also called for a referendum.
In the past polls have revealed strong support in Northern Ireland for relaxing abortion laws in at least some circumstances, although not to the extent allowed in the rest of the UK.In the past polls have revealed strong support in Northern Ireland for relaxing abortion laws in at least some circumstances, although not to the extent allowed in the rest of the UK.
But the Democratic Unionist party, the largest party in Northern Ireland, strongly opposes liberalisation. At the weekend the DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr tweeted: “NI should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand ... The settled will of the people has been to afford protections to the unborn life and protect the life of the mother.”But the Democratic Unionist party, the largest party in Northern Ireland, strongly opposes liberalisation. At the weekend the DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr tweeted: “NI should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand ... The settled will of the people has been to afford protections to the unborn life and protect the life of the mother.”
Sinn Féin, the second-largest party in Northern Ireland, supports limited change to NorthernIreland’s abortion laws. Michelle O’Neill, its leader in Northern Ireland, told ITV on Sunday that the region was “becoming a backwater” in terms of rights because of the position taken by unionists. Sinn Féin, the second-largest party in Northern Ireland, supports limited change to Northern Ireland’s abortion laws. Michelle O’Neill, its leader in Northern Ireland, told ITV on Sunday that the region was “becoming a backwater” in terms of rights because of the position taken by unionists.
AbortionAbortion
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
HealthHealth
WomenWomen
Northern Irish politicsNorthern Irish politics
Irish abortion referendumIrish abortion referendum
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