MPs voted on abortion for the first time in 18 years, and rejected limit cut

David Cameron, the Tory leader, wanted to lower to 20 weeks the limit of abortion in the UK but Gordon Brown and a majority of MPs voted yesterday to keep the current limit to 24 weeks, in the first vote on the issue in 18 years.

A lowering of the limit had been predicted, but MPs instead rejected by a comfortable majority of 71 all the amendments that would have lowered the limit.

On Monday, the Commons rejected a ban on animal-human embryos being created for use in scientific research. Last night’s vote marked the failure of a concerted campaign to reduce the abortion limit.

Dr Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrat MP, said: “Parliament has made the right decision, respecting women’s rights to access abortion and taking the advice of the medical world about what the appropriate time limit should be.”

Forthcoming event in London in support of abortion rights

Abortion Rights : Defend abortion rights – join the national lobby of parliament! – 7th May

• no attack on the 24 week time limit
• for a woman’s right to choose

3-6pm lobby of Parliament
7pm public meeting (venue tbc)

Initial major supporters include: fpa, TUC, STUC, NUS, UNISON, UNITE the union, GMB, PCS, NAPO, ASLEF, RMT and FBU

This will be an important opportunity to make sure MPs feel the strength of pro-choice opinion ahead of key votes on abortion in the House of Commons. Please put the date in your diary, make an appointment with your MP, start organising transport and encourage friends, and colleagues to join you!

To identify and contact your MP visit upmystreet or call the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000. Alternatively you can write to your MP at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

To add your organisation as a supporter of the event or to let us know if you can attend either the lobby of the rally, please email us.

Please download the lobby flyer to photocopy and distribute widely.

Source: Women in London website