MPs to get free vote on decriminalising abortion in England and Wales

[IwantToRetire]

MPs are expected to get a free vote on decriminalising abortion when a Labour backbencher lays an amendment that would end the prosecution of women who terminate pregnancies after the 24-week limit.

Diana Johnson is expected to lay an amendment to the Criminal Justice Act next month that would stop the possibility of women being jailed for going ahead with abortions after the time limit.

MPs generally get free votes on abortion because it is considered a matter of conscience, meaning the parties will allow parliamentarians to make a personal choice about how they vote.

The article goes on to explain the current situation re the law https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/23/mps-to-get-free-vote-on-decriminalising-abortion-in-england-and-wales (sorry for Guardian link but article seemed the clearest)

Also:

Rebel Tories threaten to scupper flagship crime Bill if it leads to abortion being decriminalised
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13122195/Rebel-Tories-threaten-crime-Bill-leads-abortion-decriminalised.html

I can only hope this goes through. There have been so many punitive examples of this being criminalised in the UK recently. I don't know if it wasn't previously publicised and there are news items now but so many of these women have been through so much already.

Dozens of women accused of illegal abortions face police investigations
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/abortions-police-investigation-women-b2358894.html

‘Deeply sinister’: Police testing women who have miscarriages for abortion drugs
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-testing-abortion-drugs-miscarriage-b2439733.html

Well it will show up a few people for what they are, which is no bad thing.

More women prosecuted for abortion 'offences' in the past 18 months than in the 55 years preceding.

This law change is very badly needed, the forced birthers are already spreading their poison.

Fingers crossed. This should not be a criminal matter at all.

Fingers crossed this will end the prosecution of pregnant women. I hope anyone trying to assist with an illegal surgical abortion is still subject to the full force of the law though.

It is a matter of conscience and should be a free vote, I agree.