Well done Nadine - message from Andrea
I am so proud of Nadine Dorries MP for standing strong and fighting for her amendment to ensure that women considering an abortion are offered counselling that is independent from abortion providers who are paid for the abortions they carry out. She stayed the course, despite extraordinary levels of opposition and personal attacks, especially from The Guardian, The Times, Abortion Rights and Unison.
In addition, her campaign had to contend with a last-minute government U-turn and with much misrepresentation and misunderstanding over the wording, consequences and intention of the amendment, all of which left many MPs confused.
Yesterday Parliament did not carry her amendment. Although the vote was lost, huge progress has been made. This amendment has reopened the debate on abortion in a way that has not been seen for at least 20 years. Light was brought to bear on the ‘conveyer-belt’ nature of the abortion industry, the lack of independent counselling for women and the financial incentives involved for the abortion providers.
In addition, Health Minister Anne Milton announced in the debate that a full consultation would be held on the issue, saying that: "The Government is supportive of the spirit of these amendments and we intend to bring forward proposals for regulations". I believe that the evidence surrounding the practice of abortion in this country and its impact on women will be highly compelling and that change will follow for the good of the mother and the child.
We are also encouraged that 118 MPs (including three cabinet ministers) voted for the amendment. It was important that they had the opportunity to express their support for these important principles even ahead of the consultation and we commend them for their courage.
We look forward to the next stage of this campaign as the government prepares for the consultation.
The issue of abortion is now firmly on the political agenda. So long as Nadine Dorries is in Parliament it will stay on the agenda. I believe we will see a massive turn around on this issue in my lifetime.
Thank you for all your support in this campaign; thank you for standing for truth, life and liberty.
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Andrea
Thursday, 8 September 2011
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