The government no longer intends to undertake a consultation on abortion
counseling, Anna Soubry, the Health Minister has announced.
Anti-abortion campaigners are calling for abortion counseling provided
by a GP, to be given to pregnant women looking into the possibility of having
an abortion. Campaigners highlight the fact that under the current system many
pregnant women who receive counseling still go on to have abortions from the
clinic which provided counseling.
Last September MPs voted against proposals that would have prevented abortion
providers giving counseling to women. Conservative MP, Nadine Dorries, put
forward the proposals and did gain the support of three cabinet ministers. A
consultation was planned to look at ways that the “spirit” or the proposals
could be incorporated into new regulations.
The focused consultation on abortion counseling has been cancelled,
however, there is currently a cross-party inquiry into unwanted pregnancy,
which will be able to put forward evidence to the government. Ms Soubry has
said that in reality, the government do not intend to change the law so the
investigation “is now an otiose exercise." Ms Dorries, who provoked the
debate, has accused the Health Minister of putting a stop to the consultation
due to her own personal values. Ms Dorries claimed that the move will not help
to improve services for women, she said "The government has decided that
it is not the right decision, and what makes it even more bizarre is that the
British Medical Association voted to support the consultation.”
Other ministers have viewed the cancellation of the consultation more
favourably. Diane Abbot heralded the cancellation as a "victory for
women". Ms Abbot has said "The message that people have forced this
government to listen to is that British women's right to choose is here to
stay."
Source: The Information Daily
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