Nathan Anderson, a councillor in Northern Ireland, has quit the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), explaining that he believes it has failed to make abortion a “red line” that cannot be crossed. SPUC has urged the DUP to “make good” on its pledge to repeal Westminster’s abortion legislation imposed on Northern Ireland.
Mr. Anderson stated that the DUP should have made Westminster imposition of abortion on Northern Ireland a “red line”.
“[My] resignation… is a matter of deeply held personal conscience… particularly in the area of abortion policy”, he said, resigning from the DUP after 22 years.
In 2019, the UK Government legalised abortion up to 12 weeks in Northern Ireland, overriding the will of Stormont.
Earlier this year, NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis ordered Stormont to implement abortion services by 31 March 2022, as reported by SPUC.
At the time, NI First Minister Paul Givan said that he would “resist” the directive.
A serious “ethical issue” that needs to be addressed
Mr. Anderson, now sitting independently on Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, said in his resignation statement that the DUP “should have made the serious constitutional and ethical issue of Westminster’s imposition of abortion a red line alongside the NI Protocol”.
He continued: “I had taken great pains to explain my rationale to members of the party and I’m disappointed that this has not been reflected fairly. I will not be making any further comment on this issue.
“I still have many friends in the DUP both locally and nationally and I wish them and all the members all the best for the future.”
James Tinsley, DUP councillor and group leader at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, responding to Mr. Anderson’s resignation from the DUP, said that he was “very sorry to see him go. He has been a great friend for years to us.”
SPUC urges DUP to repeal abortion legislation
Philip Lynn, SPUC’s Northern Ireland development officer, said: “We’re very sad to note Mr. Anderson’s resignation from the DUP after 22 years of service, and we both wish him and his family well.
“His resignation over the party’s abortion policy indicates that the imposition of abortion is still a major concern among the electorate of Northern Ireland.
“We would therefore encourage the DUP to swiftly make good on their 2019 promise to repeal Westminster’s abortion legislation.”