DIY abortion doublespeak
by Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern:
Doublespeak reached new levels with the abortion amendments which Diana Johnson MP brought into the Domestic Abuse Bill. Measures aimed at liberalising abortion were framed as protecting women from abuse, when in fact they would have had the opposite effect. The amendments were introduced at the last minute, meaning that they would be subject to the least scrutiny possible.
Abortion amendments framed as protection from abuse
New Clause 29 was intended to completely decriminalise abortion by repealing sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Persons Act. This would allow abortion on demand for any reason right up till the baby is capable of being born alive at 28 weeks. Sex-selective abortions, for example, would then become entirely legal. One could imagine abortions for hair colour or eye colour or other genetic variations once these become testable. The current legal limit for abortions is 24 weeks, and surveys have shown that most people would favour this limit being reduced rather than extended.
What is more, Clause 29 would have removed legal safeguards which benefit women. There would have been no restrictions on where abortions can be performed, allowing mail-order abortion pills on demand, and even abortion pills to be distributed in schools. No doctor would be required to participate in or certify an abortion. All this in the name of protection from abuse. Fortunately, in a rare victory for common sense, this clause was ruled out of scope of the Domestic Abuse Bill by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
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