Approach to women’s rights. Part 2
This is one that we all need reminding of. Back in 2008 there was a lot of legislation discussed in parliament surrounding Human Fertilisation and Embryology. One of them was a piece of legislation proposed by Iain Duncan Smith which would require IVF clinics to consider the babies’ “need for a father” (an approach which would have limited lesbian couple’s rights when trying to conceive). How did Dave vote? In favour.
At the same time, equally controversial discussions took place on changing the time limit for late abortions.
Cameron has recently repeated his call for a reduction in the abortion time limit, prompting criticism that he is just trying to appeal to the religious vote, and that the science available for consideration has not changed in the less than two year time period which has elapsed since the law was upheld.
It is a salutary reminder that of the neo-nasties present back then, only 2 voted to keep the existing time limit of 24 weeks. This limit was supported by the following institutions: theBritish Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The following, from a Guardian article at the time, shows once more how the true tenor of the Tory’s thinking on women’s rights surfaces when legislation is being passed.
“Eighteen shadow cabinet ministers voted to reduce the limit to 22 weeks. Cameron actually voted to bring the limit down to 20 weeks, and while an amendment to reduce it to 16 weeks was trounced – rejected by 303 votes – of the 84 MPs who voted for it, 61% were Tories. The mood was summed up in a comment by Tory MP Edward Leigh, who proposed a 12-week limit, that “in modern Britain the most dangerous place to be is in your mother’s womb”. The majority of Conservative MPs voted for a reduction in the time limit and the majority of Labour MPs voted against, which means that, if the Tories get in at the next election, women’s rights will face a battering. A progressive, modern party, fit for the 21st century? On this evidence, most definitely not.”
Reason #13: By denying us the right to choose what happens to our bodies, the Tories betray their contempt for women.