Abortion upper limit to stay at 24 weeks
Labour MP Andy Slaughter and Conservative MP Greg Hands followed their leaders’ example when voting in the controversial bill to change the upper time limit on abortion on Tuesday (May 20).
Ealing, Acton and Shepherd’s Bush MP Andy Slaughter voted against the proposal to change the upper limit from the existing 24 weeks to 22 weeks, as did the Prime Minister and most of the Cabinet.
Hammersmith and Fulham MP Greg Hands voted to reduce the upper limit from 24 weeks to 22, as did Conservative leader David Cameron. The upper time limit for abortions will now remain at 24 weeks after MPs voted against proposals to reduce it.
Tory MP Nadine Dorries, a former nurse who proposed a 20-week limit, said a baby's rights should be considered at the point it had the "chance of life".
But pro-choice campaigners said there was no evidence of improved survival rates. The closest vote, on a 22-week limit, was defeated by 304 to 233. Ms Dorries' proposal for a 20 week limit was defeated by 332 votes to 190.
It was the first major challenge to Britain's abortion laws since 1990, when the legal limit was lowered from 28 to 24 weeks. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg also voted to keep the existing 24 week limit.
But Catholic cabinet ministers Ruth Kelly, Des Browne and Paul Murphy voted for the lowest option - 12 weeks. Conservative leader David Cameron voted for a 20 week limit and then for a cut to a 22 week limit - which was backed by most of the shadow cabinet.
Mr Brown had offered Labour MPs a free vote on the issue as a matter of conscience.
May 30, 2008
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