U-turn from No 10 on Nadine Dorries

[NotQuiteSoDesperate]

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/31/downing-street-uturn-abortion-proposals

[CRIKRI]

Well, hurray!

[Catitainahatita]

That is good news. Hopefully this will be off the agenda for the foreseeable future now.

[DontCallMeFrothyDragon]

Thank fuck for that...

[solidgoldbrass]

Excellent, hope it puts a stop to this nonsense.

[WhollyGhost]

woo hoo!

[Treats]

I'm sure it was the volume of MNers emailing their MPs in response to the AIBU post on Monday that tipped the balance

Interestingly, did you know that the Conservative Womens Network called on women to do the very same thing about two weeks ago link It looks as though the Tories have cottoned onto the fact that this really isn't a party political issue - so, not a vote winner - and will only damage their efforts to rebrand themselves as progressives.

[PeanutGallery]

Hooray! And Treats, let's hope so.

[flippinada]

Yes, well done DC! (Never thought I'd say that) :)

[SardineQueen]

Crikey I didn't expect to read a comment like this on the Conservative Women's thingy:

"It seems to me that there is far too much emotional blackmail by the supporters of BOTH sides of the debate!
This is an incredibly difficult and senstive issue and one on which I have changed my views over the years. I was once a passionate "pro-lifer" - opposed to abortion in all circumstances. As I became older - and wiser - I realised that decisions are never clear-cut. No one should undergo a termination lightly - it is the saddest of all sad decisions to have to make. I strongly believe that women should have the choice and be in charge of their own bodies and their own fertility. Too many on the "pro-life" side are those who would seemingly "punish" women who are "too" sexual and not willing to fit into the prescribed mould of "Good Wife and Mother"."

Nice one!!!!

[SardineQueen]

Hmmm that "nice one" seems a bit wrong given the subject matter.

It was her last bit about punishing women etc that I was concurring with so vigorously.

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

Wow.

Fantastic

[ThePosieParker]

Dear Ms Posie Parker,

Abortion Counselling

Thank you for writing to me about the recent proposed changes to abortion counselling. I think you will be as pleased as I am that the Coalition Government has publically rejected Nadine Dorries and Frank Field?s amendment. Whilst the vote was ?free? (i.e. one where MPs vote independently), the Department of Health advised Coalition MPs that it did not believe the changes would improve the current abortion system. With this in mind, it was highly unlikely that the amendment would have garnered the support necessary for it to pass; I hope you will be pleased to read that I too voted against it.

Many weeks ago, I wrote to the Department of Health in order to address the concerns which had been raised with me on this matter. The reply I received dated 22nd August comes from Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health. In her letter, the Minister explains that the Government is committed to giving those women who do become pregnant and who consider aborting the pregnancy as much information as possible in order to help them to make an informed decision, but that the view of the Department of Health about the way that this could best be achieved has only recently been settled. Ms Milton states that she does not believe that a provision in primary legislation for independent abortion counselling would be necessary at all, as she believes that the current arrangements are sufficiently flexible to accommodate any future expansion of counselling providers.

I support the right of women to have abortions if they choose, provided that these are always carried out legally and in a safe environment. Abortion is an incredibly sensitive subject and the decision about whether or not to terminate a pregnancy is never one which should be made lightly, but rather having first spent enough time considering the options and having listened to appropriate advice. However, I strongly believe that the measures which we currently have in place are already sufficient in giving pregnant women enough time to make a choice according to their individual circumstances or personal beliefs.

I feel that an appropriate balance is currently struck with regard to the provision of abortion counselling. It is exceptionally important also that the information which is given to pregnant women is as objective as possible in order to ensure that they can make their own decision, rather than having their choice framed around the beliefs of another individual or organisation. Rest assured that I will continue to support measures which uphold a woman?s autonomy and her capacity to choose for herself.

I hope this reply is useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or comments.



Yours sincerely

Stephen Williams MP