This morning's Daily Mail reveals that the Conservative leader will vote for an abortion limit of 20 or 21 weeks should there be an opportunity when the Commons debates the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill:
"I would like to see a reduction in the current limit, as it is clear that, due to medical advancement, many babies are surviving at 24 weeks."
24 weeks being the current abortion limit. Michael Howard made a similar pledge in March 2005 when he was Tory leader.
Mr Cameron makes it clear, however, that the issue of abortion will remain a free vote in the Conservative Party with every MP, frontbencher and backbencher, able to choose which way that they will vote.
82% of Tory members recently told ConservativeHome that they supported the issue remaining a free vote. 59% agreed with Mr Cameron that the abortion time limit should be lower.
A lower time limit is just one of the legislative options for increasing protection of the unborn child. Other options (summarised here) include tighter definition of handicap so that minor 'defects' cannot justify late abortions and a policy of fully-informed consent where women considering an abortion are given much more information.
Mr Cameron has previously made it clear that he also opposes euthanasia.
3pm: "Responding to the call, the prime minister's spokesman said the government had no plans to change the law: "He has always made clear that he thinks we should be guided by the best medical advice on this. At the moment, the key organisations in the medical profession are not pressing for a review in this area. For example, both the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have said they do not believe there is a case for changing the time limits for abortion. The government has no plans to change the law on abortion.''" (From ePolitix.com).
Andrew S, that last argument is nonsensical. You could equally argue that everyone has the freedom of choice to murder someone and we shouldn't intervene. What makes the eradication of one human being acceptable and another not?
Posted by: Peter O | March 09, 2008 at 08:45