Brown's new ministers: bad news for unborn children
Brown's new ministers: bad news for unborn children Westminster, 2nd July 2007 - Gordon Brown has appointed a raft of pro-abortion ministers to life-related portfolios, a move which means any reform of the abortion law is likely to lead to more abortions, warns the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). Dawn Primarolo, appointed a minister of state for health, has voted for abortion on demand and for the Abortion Act to be extended to Northern Ireland. Ben Bradshaw, also appointed a minister of state for health, supports the Abortion Act 1967. Ann Keen, appointed a parliamentary under-secretary of state for health, believes in a woman's right to choose abortion. Jim Knight, appointed a minister of state for children, families and schools, signed in 2002 a parliamentary motion calling for "universal access to comprehensive reproductive health services", a phrase normally understood to include abortion on demand. Beverley Hughes, also appointed a minister of state for children, families and schools, signed parliamentary motions in 1997 calling for abortion on demand and for the Abortion Act 1967 to be extended to Northern Ireland. Gareth Thomas, appointed a parliamentary under-secretary of state for international development, is one of parliament's leading promoters of abortion on demand and population control. Last week SPUC expressed concern at the appointment of pro-abortion Alan Johnson as secretary of state for health. Harriet Harman was appointed minister for women and Jacqui Smith was appointed home secretary. Harriet Harman is a veteran member of the pro-abortion lobby in parliament and Jacqui Smith's election to parliament was backed by the pro-abortion Emily's List. Anthony Ozimic, SPUC political secretary, commented: "With so many strongly pro-abortion ministers in areas covering life-related issues, the pro-life movement must dedicate its resources to defending existing restrictions on abortions and not be distracted by those siren voices calling for the abortion law to be reviewed."