Following
the women’s march in London to demand changes to abortion laws in Northern
Ireland, a number of concerned constituents have written to me to ask if I
would make representations to The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland,
Karen Bradley MP, calling on the Government to oppose any moves to override the
devolution settlement and focus their efforts on the re-establishment of the
Northern Ireland Assembly.
These
constituents will be glad to learn that with regards to abortion, I am on their
side of the argument.
My
views on abortion are well known: I am a pro-life MP and I stand firmly against
any measures to impose the liberalisation of the abortion laws on Northern
Ireland.
When
a number of measures were proposed to liberalise abortion and impose abortion
on Northern Ireland, I am encouraged to learn of my constituents’ support for
my vote against Diana Johnson’s Ten Minute Rule Motion on Abortion and Stella
Creasy’s amendment to the Northern Ireland Bill.
I
will continue to oppose any proposals that seek to undermine the ability of the
people of Northern Ireland to determine their own affairs under the devolution
settment, and as a pro-life MP I will continue to speak up for the sanctity of
life and support legislations that will protect women and their unborn babies.
I
do not often see the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland but I will be sure
to make the strength of feeling expressed by constituents on this issue clear
to her when I next see her.
