Sinn Fein vote to change their abotion policy

[SardineReturns]

Feels like big news

here

"Sinn Féin delegates have voted to change the party's position on abortion at a conference in Belfast.

Members comprehensively backed a leadership motion stating that women should have access to abortions within "a limited gestational period".

The party can now support a law due to be brought before the Irish parliament, which is expected to allow abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

More than 20 Sinn Féin branches had called for a free conscience vote.

The decision comes shortly after a referendum in the Republic of Ireland removed a constitutional amendment which effectively outlawed abortion.

Previously Sinn Féin had backed making terminations available in circumstances like fatal foetal abnormality, rape or sexual abuse.

However, the party will now back a policy put forward by the Sinn Féin leadership that is broadly in line with the new Irish law, which is expected to make abortion available to women within the first 12 weeks of their pregnancies."

What with Ireland, and now this in NI, and recent news from Argentia a couple of days ago, it feels like real progress is happening. Set against last year, with what happened (nearly happened) in Poland and the constant pushback in the USA, this all feels so positive.

It's great.

I still worry about women in countries like Nicaragua with no legal abortions of any kind.

It is really great news, let's not forget the women of Northern Ireland

www.asn.org.uk

Good for them for taking a step in the right direction for women.

This is a brilliant forwards move!

Good news

Brilliant.

Very glad to hear this.

Sinn Fein are Marxists rather than Catholics so it's not unsurprising in that regard. A little taken aback they've made it more obvious though as they may pay something of a political price.

Sinn fein will lose votes for this. I've heard many hard line PSF supporters say that they'll vote the dup as they are the only ones respecting their stance on abortion.

Exactly Amalfimamma

Catholics voting DUP. These truly are interesting times.

@Freespeecher

To be fair, Catholics have been voting the dup for years but would never admit it freely.

Now it's hard line republicans, ex IRA members and people who've spent a lifetime hating paisley and his motley crew.

When you hear a man who did x years in the h blocks say he's going to vote for the dup you know the countries couped.

You know about it than me Amalfimamma. I just find it a little odd for Sinn Fein to break cover in this way when they potentially risk losing so many votes for not that much gain.

@Freespeecher

Since the early 90s PSF have been slowly trying to shrug of it's hard line image and become more mainstream to widen it's electorate pool. Slowly the old guard was retired, newer fresher faces with no links to the 80s/90s campaigns were brought in to replace the old members (old members the 40 years old and over).

PSF are, and always have been, very canny. Gerry Adams himself has always been very canny and sly. So I saw this coming because they hope to gain those repeal the 8th voters who would never have voted them if they had stayed that republican party.
The same applies to those left-wing voters who are disillusioned with the current left wingers both north and south of the border.

But remember that PSF is not without its scandals. Pedophilies, rapists and child abusers (both male and female) are still in its ranks and sooner or later the nonstick coating they seem to have will peel away.

I actually think Sinn Fein will gain votes. For example my husband, parents and sister who have never voted for Sinn Fein will all vote for Sinn Fein because of their stance on abortion. I've voted for them previously because most people knew this change was coming. That's 4 extra Sinn Fein votes from a small family previously SDLP, Alliance and a non voter. I'm very sure this will be replicated. A lot of friends I have are now contemplating a similar change in voting.

Really interesting to read the posts from those who know more about the parties & situation & voters than me here in England, thank you for the posts.

My Protestant Green voting best friend has declared today she is now a Sinn Fein voter. I am too! On this policy alone it is a vote winner amongst the more sensible people in NI!

At Mass one day last year, Precious Life was at the porch wanting signatures. At LEAST 50% of people kept walking. It was great to see!

Good news!

Sinn Fein will definitely gain votes from this! A LOT of our young people are extremely switched on...don't they out-perform those in England/Scotland and Wales each year in exams?

We have EXCEPTIONALLY bright people in this part of the world...hence why we above all other nations have always had a brain drain! Don't underestimate us!

I honestly don't know if they'll gain or break even. I know ex string holds will probably see the old guard vote elsewhere not just because of the abortion issue but a number of other issues that surround the party.

This is great news.