Winterton: Bill for couselling for women seeking abortion

Update: the Winterton bill has been defeated, 182 vs 107. Not a bad showing for a 'Ten Minute Rule' Bill, and perhaps a marker for the future. Among the votes in favour were William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith, past Conservative leaders, Simon Hughes, LibDem, Frank Field, Lab, two MPs from the SNP (Angus McNeill and Mike Weir) and one from the DUP (Sammy Wilson). Overwhelmingly, however, the 'Ayes' were Conservative and the 'Noes' Labour. John Gummer, David Cameron, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown all had better things to do than vote. Briefing and full voting record from Christian Concern for our Nation.

Action please 11/05/07: lobby your MP; see side-bar for email addresses. Although the bill is unlikely to be passed, highlighting the counselling issue is very worthwhile. Hat-tip to the Pro-Life Alliance.

From the Pro-Life Alliance: ABORTION BILL
June 5th, 2007
Write to your MP without delay urging support!

Ann Winterton MP – supported by Labour, Lib-Dem and Conservative MPs - will be introducing a Bill on Tuesday, June 5th as a first step in curbing the present abortion law. The aim is to ensure that women receive proper counselling warning them of possible dangers to their physical and mental health, informing them of alternative help available, and providing them with a delay of seven days before making a final decision. The Bill will also require doctors to state on the notification forms whether the abortion was carried out on physical OR on mental grounds (instead of clubbing the two together as at present and thus obscuring the real reasons for the abortion).

Please write to your MP at the House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA. Or you can telephone him/her at 020 7219 3000.
Ask for your MP (by name) or his/her secretary. Give your name and address to show that you are a constituent. Urge the MP to attend the debate on Tuesday, June 5th and to vote in support of the Bill. They may need time to cancel other possible engagements – so, please write to your MP as soon as you receive this. The more letters MPs receive the more they will be made aware of the Bill and the more support we will receive.

For further information, please contact ProLife Alliance at 020 7581 6939 or email info@prolife.org.uk Postal address P O Box 13395, London, SW3 6XE