The Issue of Abortion

The views of most MPs on this issue are personal and not usually party political. This is also the type of issue where one can have gut ethical views that are compromised by the facts and the very difficult personal circumstances involved in every case. The views expressed here have been my views for some time, however, in the build up to the election the 'abortion issue' has been raised by the intervention of Cosmo magazine and the extraordinary intervention of the Archbishop McCormack.

Basically I would prefer it in an ideal world that abortion was not even necessary - but we are not there and we have to legislate for the hear and now. I basically agree with the '67 Act. However, I do agree that there does need to be a debate about the time limits as set out in the Act. The debate seems to surround whether we move from 24 to 22 or 20 weeks for the lastest point of abortion. I have some sympathy with moving down the timescale - but recognise that the vast majority of abortions are already well within this timescale and that only in exceptional circumstances would we find a termination at 22-24 weeks. At present I belive around 1% of abortions take place after 20 weeks.

I accept that some fellow Christians would argue that any abortion/termination is wrong. I accept that is a deeply held fundamntal view and respect it, although I don't agree. I would like to see the provisions of the '67 Act tightened up as there is a sense by some that we have abortion on demand. If the '67 Act was properly interpreted I believe we would see a reduction in the number of abortions carried out. I trust that the debate will remain rational and that all sides will be listened to carefully, thoughfully and gracefully. I fear it will not though as the media have become involved.

Updated March 2005