Ahead of the second reading debate of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, Abortion Rights, the national pro-choice campaign and leading campaigners voiced their fundamental opposition to Conservative MP, Nadine Dorries’ attempts to amend the Bill to lower the abortion time limit.

Supported by trade unions, the National Union of Students, Women's groups and thousands of individuals across the country, Abortion Rights has coordinated widespread opposition to any restriction in women's abortion rights.

At a packed rally in the House of Commons ahead of the Bill’s second reading, leading pro-choice figures commented:

Christine McCafferty, MP said:

"There has been no significant improvement in the survival of babies born before 24 weeks gestation over the last 12 years. despite medical advances. If the current limit were reduced, it would have an adverse impact on the very small number of women or girls, who do seek late abortions."

Dr Evan Harris, MP said:

“There has been a campaign of misinformation, assertion and irrelevant information about the abortion time limit led by very well funded organisations opposed to all abortion. Sadly, the evidence shows that it simply isn’t the case that wanted babies born below 24 weeks are more likely to survive. It is a cruel deception on parents with pre-term babies. It would be astonishing if Parliament took a view against the united approach of all the relevant medical institutions.”

Robert Key, MP said:

“I always start from the proposition that it is right to respect and listen to other people’s views. I am a member of the general synod of the Church of England. A recent Church of England briefing to MPs said that any support for campaigns to change the abortion law would be on the proviso that such measures were evidence based. I am yet to be convinced that lowering from 24 weeks would significantly reduce the abortion rate and I believe there are alternative answers. I think the answer is a massive advance in responsible sex education.

Julie Bentley, Chief Executive fpa (Family Planning Association) said:

“The few women who need later abortion are the hardest cases – very vulnerable women in incredibly difficult circumstances. Some women don’t recognise the symptoms of pregnancy, sometimes because of poor sex education – they believe the myths, like you can’t get pregnant if you’re a virgin. People don’t make these decisions lightly and women do need the time to make that decision.”

Sarah Veale, Equalities Officer TUC said:

“It ts important to remember that a woman’s right to choose is supported by an overwhelming majority of people in Britain. An NOP poll in October 2007 showed 83% support. The TUC believes that MPs must be absolutely vigilant on defending the time limit. It is crucial for women to be treated safely and that women have the right to control over their own body and destiny.”

Wendy Savage, Doctors for A Woman’s Choice on Abortion said:

“As one of the few doctors who has performed later abortion in Britain, I know how difficult the cases are. In one case, after 1990, I had a call from A and E about a young 17 year old, 26 weeks pregnant who had been held captive as a domestic worker, raped by her boss and was going to kill herself if her pregnancy wasn’t ended. I hope that right, logic and evidence will prevail amongst MPs.”

Katherine Rake, Director Fawcett Society said:

“The right to an abortion is vital in itself. But there are also clear links between women's reproductive rights and broader equality between women and men - a woman's right to choose is linked to her ability to make economic choices, choices about partnerships, and choices about her own health. Women campaigned for the vote, and for the right to abortion, so that they would be able to have control over decisions which affected their lives. We must continue fighting to ensure that these rights are built upon, not eroded, in the coming years.”

Louise Hutchins, Abortion Rights Campaign Coordinator said:

“Nadine Dorries MP’s crusade to turn back the clock on women’s reproductive rights shows an appalling disregard for women and the difficult circumstances that they sometimes face. Very few women need later abortion – less than 2 per cent of all abortions take place after 20 weeks. They are needed most commonly by women in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances. No one involved takes the decision lightly. Lowering the time limit would be devastating for this small number of women and force some to continue with a pregnancy against their will – causing long term psychological and physical harm, others will travel abroad for a later abortion if they can afford to and others, will risk a dangerous illegal back-street option. Women must be entitled to make the most fundamental decisions over their own bodies. This should not be dictated by Nadine Dorries. Abortion Rights urges MPs, when they vote on 20th May, to consider the fundamental importance of reproductive rights to women and oppose any attempt to lower the abortion time limit.”

Notes

Abortion Rights is the national membership-based pro-choice campaign supporting women’s rights to choose on abortion. The campaign works closely with the Pro-choice and Sexual Health All Party Parliamentary Group, the Voice for Choice coalition of organisations and is supported by the TUC and the National Union of Students as well as many women’s organisations.
Later abortion is rare - less than 2 per cent, of abortions take place between 20 and 24 weeks. Later abortions are needed by women facing exceptional and unavoidable circumstances including undiagnosed pregnancies, domestic violence, incest and rape, health problems and NHS delays.
Lowering the abortion time limit is opposed by the government, politicians across all main political parties, and the medical professional bodies - the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the British Association of Perinatal Medicine and the Royal College of Nursing.
Seventy seven per cent of doctors voted to defend the current 24-week time limit at the last British Medical Association conference. All the relevant medical bodies oppose a reduction in the time limit - the BMA, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, British Association of Perinatal Medicine Royal College of Nursing and Department of Health. Such a move is widely opposed by MPs from all three main parities, the trade unions, and student and women’s organisations.
Nadine Dorries’ ’20 reasons for 20 weeks’ campaign has been roundly condemned as entirely without foundation by medical spokespeople, sexual health organisations and a cross party range of MPs.
The EPICure 2 study shows that premature babies’ survival has not significantly improved below 24 weeks.

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