New attempt to change Northern Ireland abortion law

Tom Griffin, 8 October 2008

Subjects:

Gender

Tom Griffin (London, OK): Over at Liberal Conspiracy Laurie Penny highlights moves by abortion rights campaigners to extend the law to Northern Ireland.

Diane Abbott has tabled an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, due for its third reading on the 22nd of October, calling for an extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. This is precisely the same amendment that Emily Thornberry MP was forced to withdraw back in May, when Gordon Brown assured her that the move would be seen as a slap in the face by the nine DUP members who swung the 42 days vote in the Prime Minister’s favour.

The issue has sparked a vigorous debate on Slugger, where veteran Westminster-watcher Brian Walker offers his assessment:

This effort will almost certainly fail and may not even reach the floor of the House of Commons. Much depends on Harriet Harman who is minister for women as well as the organiser of Commons business. It made waves at Westminster in July by exposing divisions at the very top of government over priorities- which was more important, the rights of women ( Harriet Harman), or the stability of the NI Executive (Gordon Brown)?

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