WELL DONE IRELAND AND THANK YOU!
This morning has seen a political development with regard to NI and abortion.
The ECHR have ruled that NI law on abortion is in breach of Human Rights but no political party there tabled an alternative in Stormont because their party membership are generally against reform.
It must be noted that polling suggests that the majority of the public in NI is now in favour of reform. So the political parties are out of step with public opinion.
So the situation in NI has been deadlocked for some time.
May was forced to 'compromise' and allow NI women to get an abortion on the NHS in the rest of the country if they wanted.
But after yesterday, Ireland's vote will put pressure on May to go further. With Stormont suspended and NI effectively under direct rule there is an unique opportunity to do something that the majority in NI would support whilst their political parties are obstructive of the political consensus.
Penny Mordaunt (the current equalities minister ) backed by Amber Rudd, Maria Miller and Justine Greening (the last three equalities ministers) and others have called this morning to reform the law in NI.
Anne Milton has also called for a free vote on the subject. (This would untie May's hands somewhat with the DUP too)
There's also talk of adding an amendment to Domestic Violence Bill which would allow abortion in NI. I believe 140 women MPs have signed up to supporting it (Labour amendment led by Stella Creasy).
This could well also have political mileage because Jacob Rees Moog's Achilles heel is his position on abortion. May could take a gamble to help toxify him as the party realises it needs to be perceived as more liberal in order to win over younger voters.
Plus the government know they need to be careful with changing demographics in NI and the issue of abortion being one that could help unite Ireland too.
My point is that, thanks to the wonderful news in Ireland, the way forward may also be paved in NI too.
Lets hope that change is coming for all.