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Tory minister for women backs reduction of abortion limit to 20 weeks Abortion limit: Tory minister for women backs reduction to 20 weeks
(about 9 hours later)
The Conservative minister for women has backed calls for a reduction in the legal limit for abortions, because advances in medical technology mean many very premature babies now survive after birth.The Conservative minister for women has backed calls for a reduction in the legal limit for abortions, because advances in medical technology mean many very premature babies now survive after birth.
Maria Miller's remarks, and her reiteration that she would still vote as she did in 2008 to reduce the legal limit for abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks, have caused concern among pro-choice campaigners already worried about the voting record on abortion of the new health secretary, Jeremy Hunt.Maria Miller's remarks, and her reiteration that she would still vote as she did in 2008 to reduce the legal limit for abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks, have caused concern among pro-choice campaigners already worried about the voting record on abortion of the new health secretary, Jeremy Hunt.
Miller, who is the secretary of state for culture, media and sport as well as minister for women's issues and equalities, was asked if she still believed that the reduction was necessary. She replied: "Absolutely. You have got to look at these matters in a commonsense way. I looked at it from the really important stance of the impact on women and children."Miller, who is the secretary of state for culture, media and sport as well as minister for women's issues and equalities, was asked if she still believed that the reduction was necessary. She replied: "Absolutely. You have got to look at these matters in a commonsense way. I looked at it from the really important stance of the impact on women and children."
Miller, interviewed for the Daily Telegraph by the Channel 4 News presenter, Cathy Newman, described herself as "a very modern feminist" and said she was "driven by that very practical impact that late term abortion has on women … What we are trying to do here is not to put obstacles in people's way but to reflect the way medical science has moved on."Miller, interviewed for the Daily Telegraph by the Channel 4 News presenter, Cathy Newman, described herself as "a very modern feminist" and said she was "driven by that very practical impact that late term abortion has on women … What we are trying to do here is not to put obstacles in people's way but to reflect the way medical science has moved on."
Her remarks were welcomed by fellow Tory Nadine Dorries, who tabled the 2008 parliamentary attempt to reduce the time limit for terminations and who last year put forward an amendment that would have resulted in abortion providers being stripped of their role in providing pregnancy counselling. The amendment last September was heavily defeated after a split between the original supporters but Dorries managed to win the support of three cabinet ministers.Her remarks were welcomed by fellow Tory Nadine Dorries, who tabled the 2008 parliamentary attempt to reduce the time limit for terminations and who last year put forward an amendment that would have resulted in abortion providers being stripped of their role in providing pregnancy counselling. The amendment last September was heavily defeated after a split between the original supporters but Dorries managed to win the support of three cabinet ministers.
Dorries tweeted on Tuesday night: "Maria Miller understands importance of recognising some women are traumatised by abortion process, that's real feminism." She intended to press for a fresh review of abortion laws this autumn, the Mail reported.Dorries tweeted on Tuesday night: "Maria Miller understands importance of recognising some women are traumatised by abortion process, that's real feminism." She intended to press for a fresh review of abortion laws this autumn, the Mail reported.
Darinka Aleksic, the campaign co-ordinator for Abortion Rights, said: "The fact that the minister responsible for women and equalities wants to restrict access to abortion, one of the most important women's health services, is really alarming."Darinka Aleksic, the campaign co-ordinator for Abortion Rights, said: "The fact that the minister responsible for women and equalities wants to restrict access to abortion, one of the most important women's health services, is really alarming."
"Her appointment, alongside Jeremy Hunt at the Department of Health, who would like to see abortion severely restricted, does nothing to inspire confidence in the government's commitment to women's right to choose.""Her appointment, alongside Jeremy Hunt at the Department of Health, who would like to see abortion severely restricted, does nothing to inspire confidence in the government's commitment to women's right to choose."
A spokesperson at the Department of Health said that it had "no plans" to review the abortion laws.A spokesperson at the Department of Health said that it had "no plans" to review the abortion laws.
Concern among pro-choice campaigners about the appointment of Hunt as health secretary during the recent cabinet reshuffle has been tempered by the appointment of Anna Soubry, a Conservative MP who opposed last year's parliamentary bid by Dorries to toughen abortion laws, as a junior health minister.Concern among pro-choice campaigners about the appointment of Hunt as health secretary during the recent cabinet reshuffle has been tempered by the appointment of Anna Soubry, a Conservative MP who opposed last year's parliamentary bid by Dorries to toughen abortion laws, as a junior health minister.
Soubry was joined at the Department of Health by Daniel Poulter, a former obstetrician and women's health specialist, who also spoke out strongly in parliament last year against the Dorries bid to strip abortion providers such as Marie Stopes of their counselling role and hand it over to "independent" organisations not linked to abortion clinics.Soubry was joined at the Department of Health by Daniel Poulter, a former obstetrician and women's health specialist, who also spoke out strongly in parliament last year against the Dorries bid to strip abortion providers such as Marie Stopes of their counselling role and hand it over to "independent" organisations not linked to abortion clinics.