This Monday an attempt will be made to radically change the law on abortion. This will be in the form of two backbench amendments to the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill. The proposed new Clause 29 permits abortion on demand, potentially to 28 weeks (beyond viability). New Clause 28 effectively facilitates coercive abortion and dangerous late term medical abortion in the context of abusive relationships – wholly contrary to the Bill’s purpose.
This Bill has already been through its detailed Commons scrutiny phase and these amendments were only published on Thursday. So there will be no opportunity for public consultation or debate and minimal opportunity for Parliamentary scrutiny. The Bill will then go to the Lords and they are traditionally reluctant to reject amendments already approved in the Commons.
It is also clear from the “We Trust Women” campaign group behind this that if this succeeds the final stage will be to legalise abortion on demand right up to birth.
Bishop Sherrington (who represents our Bishops Conference on these matters) has a statement on this here. (This was written in anticipation just before the amendments were published but covers the key principles.)
And please keep this, and all vulnerable mothers and babies, constantly in your prayers. Please also remember those many women who suffer now as a consequence of past decisions.
Thank you.