Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Ann Widdecombe

42 replies

RamblingRosa · 19/11/2010 20:33

No, not a thread about how she introduced the shackling of female prisoners while in labour. Or about her anti gay rights record. Or about how galling it is to see her reinvent herself as some kind of nutty but endearing reality TV star.

Nope, this is about how she's using her Strictly fame to campaign against abortion and a woman's right to choose.

Abortion Rights have organised a demo/picket outside an anti-abortion fundraiser next week where Widdecombe is the star guest.
Date: Thursday 25th November
Start time: 6.30 pm
Location: Royal Overseas House, Park Place, St James?s Street, London, SW1A 1LR.

More details on www.abortionrights.org.uk

OP posts:
msrisotto · 20/11/2010 07:26

The trouble with pro life campaigns is that they seem to be decidedly anti-choice though.

Sakura · 20/11/2010 05:16

RamblingRosa, I am really shocked, actually, that she has done all the things you mentioned, especially shackling female prisoners in labour.

And no, "choosing" has nothing to do with feminism. That's neoliberal claptrap.

I think it's pretty bad.

Pro-life means making sure each child that is born gets a fighting chance, with all the love and resources its parents have to offer. ABortion has been used all over the world in many cultures for millenia to make sure women can feed the children they already have. IN Japan, little dolls are made to represent the children that were conceived, but the mother was not able to bring into existence, because of poverty or other factors.

Blocking women's access to abortion is actually pro-death, pro-poverty and pro-mental illness.

Rather than blocking rights to abortion, society should focus on making sure women have the resources and support they need to bring every child they conceive into existence

ISNT · 19/11/2010 21:24

I use the word socialist. It's a political system, innit. Socialism. What else to call it? (sure claig will have some ideas Grin)

On the OP - as much as I despise Anne widdecombes views on abortion and other matters such as the ones highlighted in the OP, I also don't think that the two are linked. I am sure she did not enter Strictly purely in order to get more fame and then to use that to further a pro-life agenda IYSWIM.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 19/11/2010 21:17

Scottish Socialist Party, Pamela?

claig · 19/11/2010 21:16

I use the word socialist because that is what they are, even though they now hide the truth under their new camouflage term of progressive

PamelaFlitton · 19/11/2010 21:12

Who uses the word 'socialist' in a non-historical context anymore? Except student politicians, obv.

sharbie · 19/11/2010 21:12

ok then

claig · 19/11/2010 21:11

'what do you mean claig'opnonopn

I think that the threat to our freedoms comes from certain socialists and communists. The colaition of liberals and conservatives have reprealed the anti-freedom policies of the socialists and restored our civil liberties. Socialists often wish to restrict our thoughts and freedoms

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 19/11/2010 21:04

A bit like Cherie Blair

PamelaFlitton · 19/11/2010 21:03

I wouldn't worry, her general reputation is for being mad as cheese not a serious political thinker

sharbie · 19/11/2010 21:02

what do you mean claig

claig · 19/11/2010 20:56

'me neither this is a free country'

it is as long as some socialists don't get their wish

claig · 19/11/2010 20:55

agree with Maisie. She ia a Catholic, she converted from Anglicanism. She isn't using her Strictly fame for this. She has probably always had these views.

sharbie · 19/11/2010 20:55

me neither this is a free country

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 19/11/2010 20:52

She is a Roman Catholic afaik - and her beliefs about abortion reflect her faith. As long as she doesn't throw bombs or murder anyone who chooses abortion then I have no problem with it.

waterlooroadisadocumentary · 19/11/2010 20:40

She is not bombing cars or hassling women she is just giving her view as far as I know. Surely people are entitled to do that.

Desiderata · 19/11/2010 20:36

It just happens to be what she believes in.

I don't, but she's entitled to her view.