Northern Ireland is under increasing pressure to liberalise abortion and introduce same-sex marriage after politicians in Westminster voted to impose changes to the law in July.
MPs voted by 383 to 73 to approve same-sex marriage and 332 to 99 to approve abortion during the committee stage of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill on 9 July. The House of Lords subsequently debated and backed the Bill, which means abortion and same-sex marriage will be imposed on the Province if there is no devolved government in place by 21 October.
In Northern Ireland, abortion is currently limited to cases where the mother’s life is at risk, and marriage is solely for one man and one woman.
‘Derisory one-hour’s debate’
MP Nigel Dodds, of the Democratic Unionist Party, said normal practice on consultation and devolution was being ignored. Conservative MP Fiona Bruce agreed, saying that the way the issues had been handled was ‘unconstitutional, undemocratic, legally incoherent and utterly disrespectful to the people of Northern Ireland.’ She criticised the government for pressing ahead ‘with just a derisory one-hour’s debate’.
In the House of Lords, Lord Morrow attempted to introduce safeguards for free speech and religious freedom. He said same-sex marriage legislation in England and Wales included protections, but these were not in place for Northern Ireland. Peers rejected his amendment.
Fear of deselection
An Scottish National Party MP who voted in favour of allowing Northern Ireland to maintain strong pro-life protections now fears she will be deselected. Dr Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahgow since 2015, has been targeted by ‘bullies’ within the party who want to see her unable to contest her seat at the next election. Party activists have even called for her to be sacked.
Dr Cameron said: ‘It was a free vote, a conscience vote. I didn’t rebel or vote against the party whip. And yet now it’s virtually certain that abusive party activists will make sure I’m deselected and lose the job I love.’
Support for devolution
Ahead of the vote, a ComRes poll of more than 500 Conservative councillors revealed strong support for devolution and for Northern Ireland’s right to make their own laws on abortion.
Among councillors from Scotland and Wales, 86% supported the right of Northern Ireland to legislate on abortion. Previous polling showed 66% of Northern Irish women believe legislation on abortion should be decided by Northern Ireland’s representatives.
Clare McCarthy, of pro-life group Right to Life, said: ‘This shows that there is very strong support for respecting devolution and that any changes in Northern Ireland’s abortion laws should be made in Northern Ireland, not imposed by Westminster.’
She added: ‘It is a reminder to the government in Westminster that abortion remains a devolved issue in Northern Ireland. They have no mandate from the people of Northern Ireland to make any changes to Northern Ireland’s laws on abortion, and all laws and policy regarding that issue should be decided by the people of Northern Ireland through their elected representatives.’
Past promises
David Steel, who spearheaded Great Britain’s 1967 abortion legislation, believes that there are now ‘too many’ abortions taking place. He also said it is ‘wrong to use abortion as contraception.’
When Boris Johnson became Prime Minister in July, Open Doors highlighted a statement he had previously made about Christians facing persecution abroad. He had tweeted that if he became PM he would: ‘always prioritise protecting religious freedoms and stand up for those facing persecution’.
