As early as possible, as late as necessary

 

I turned up on Wednesday (7th May) for the lobby of Parliament to see my MP (Jacqui Lait, Tory) about the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. I “green carded” her and waited and waited….she didn’t turn up!!!!  So I will write to her asking how she will vote on any anti-choice amendments put forward.

 

The public meeting held in Parliament was packed and it was good to see so many young women in attendance.

There were trade unionists on the platform (Sally Hunt, and Jane Loftus). Cross-party pro-choice MPs such as Dr Evan Harris, Robert Key, Diane Abbot and Katy Clark (chairing). Wendy Savage (DWCA) and Stuart Derbyshire. Zoe Williams (wonderfully critiquing Nadine Dorries “20 reasons for 20 weeks”) and Gemma Tumelty (NUS).

 

What was paramount in all their speeches was the importance of choice and that women should be able to control their own bodies. And now the immediate threat by the anti-abortionists in attacking the time limits.

 

Around 89% of abortions occur before 13 weeks, 20 weeks is 2%.Late abortions are rare and certainly the less bureaucracy, the more likelihood that late abortions would be reduced (the primary providers for late abortions are the independent sector, as opposed to the NHS).

 

But some women (from the scared and naive teenager to the older person who thinks she is hitting the menopause) do not realise they are pregnant until quite late. And restrictive laws themselves cause delays - for example, forcing women to become ‘abortion tourists’ and make arrangements to travel to a country where the termination can be carried out.

 

For whatever reasons, even if abortion were ‘on request’ up to 12 weeks and the time limits were reduced, there would always be women who will need a late abortion and we must defend that right.

 

Speakers at the meeting also emphasised and stressed the importance of access to sex education and free contraception is equally vital.

 

And contrary to one of Nadine Dorries 20 reasons, pregnancy tests are indeed available from chemists …but they are expensive (they should be free). Another example is the morning-after pill - demand for Levonelle increases over holiday periods (ie, summer and Christmas), but, with GPs’ surgeries and pharmacists closed, accessibility is limited. 

 

Therefore advanced prescription is an important service, although many women do not know they can request it, according to the Family Planning Association. And Levonelle costs £24 if you buy it over the counter - again highlighting the problem of accessibility for poorer women.

 

Other amendments, to the Bill, could include imposing a requirment for ‘counselling’ (lecturing is a better description!) and a cooling off period. This happens in many US States and it causes immeasuarble stress and delays. Once a woman has made her choice that should be respected. Other amendments include restricting the grounds for abortion.

 

It is also an excellent opportunity, for example, to put forward pro-choice amendments such as scrapping the archaic two doctors signatures. And to allow access to abortion in the north of Ireland in line with the rest of the UK. I don’t think pro-choice MPs are aiming to put forward amendments though it seems they are concentrating on fighting the anti-choice amendments. It is therefore a missed opportunity to liberalise abortion rights.

 

The key debates and votes on time limits will take place on the 20th, giving us a short time to mobilise and galvanise support. It is imperative that we support a woman’s right to choose and that we can never be complacent as the anti-abortion lobby will always attack and try to chip away at time limits.

 

Please turn up to the protest outside Parliament on the 20th May @ 5.30pm. Make our collective pro-choice voices heard…..

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