On 17th June there was a vote in the House of Commons on abortion following amendments tabled to the Crime and Policing Bill by MPs.
Thank you to all my constituents who have contacted me about this important issue and for sharing your views. This was a ‘free vote’ meaning that MPs voted according to their own personal conscience.
New Clause 1 proposed by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi was selected for a vote. This amendment disapplies the criminal law related to abortion from a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy. It does not extend the abortion time limit, change how abortion is provided, the current guidance around sex-selective abortion or the need for two doctors’ signatures.
I was proud to vote for this amendment and the historic change it will bring. It was passed by 379 to 135 votes.
I voted for this because I believe that it is time the law is reformed and women removed from the criminal law. The current law is archaic – abortion law in England and Wales means that those who access or provide an abortion outside the limitations of the Abortion Act 1967 commit an offence. The maximum sentence is life in prison.
I am concerned that a growing number of women have been investigated by the police for suspected illegal abortion. Vulnerable women have reportedly been taken from their hospital bed to police cells and suffered years of investigation and prosecution. Others have been found, after police involvement, to have experienced stillbirths or premature labour without any attempt to end their own pregnancy. At one of the most traumatic times of their life they are being investigated. Fundamentally, I believe women need support and compassion not threatened with prosecution.
Amendment NC1 had the backing of 50 organisations including the Royal Colleges of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Nursing, Midwives, General Practitioners, and Psychiatrists, abortion providers including BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices and women’s rights organisations. Supporting this change in law means recognising that criminalisation is not the best way to ensure vulnerable women access the care and support they need and I believe this is an important step forward.
As NC1 was voted on and passed, a separate amendment – NC20 laid by Stella Creasy MP was not voted on.
I recognise that some constituents may disagree with me on this issue but I’d like to thank everyone who has respectfully contacted me about this issue.
Kind regards,
Alice