SPUC Public Policy Manager Alithea Williams brings you her take on the year ahead in politics – and how you can join SPUC’s lobbying efforts on behalf of the unborn in 2022.
A new Prime Minister?
As the new year begins, all the talk is around the “Partygate” scandal. Will Boris Johnson survive as PM? Any change in leadership could have a big effect on life issues. Mr Johnson has previously declared himself pro-abortion (though he has not said much on the subject as PM), but is opposed to assisted suicide. What would any of his potential successors do on our issues? Much could change in the coming weeks, but if there is a leadership election, rest assured that we will bring you all we know about the candidates.
Finally a decision on home abortion?
SPUC supporters responded magnificently to our call last year to respond to the consultations on home abortion run by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh Governments. Despite those consultations ending in January and February last year, none of the governments have yet made a decision on whether to continue this dangerous policy. In answers to questions, health ministers in Westminster went from talking about it being released “later in the year” to “in due course”. The Scottish Government did say that they would commission an “independent evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the current approach, including in relation to safety”.
This, and the delay in making decisions, suggest that the issue isn’t being given the simple rubber-stamping that the abortion lobby was hoping for. On the other hand, the policy is still in place, putting women at greater risk, and further cheapening the value of unborn life. We need supporters to continue making the case against DIY abortion to their MPs.
Big pushes on assisted suicide
2022 is going to be a big year when it comes to campaigning against assisted suicide. The Meacher Bill is still making its way through the Lords, and Peers have been attempting to shoehorn the issue into a healthcare bill. We will be calling on supporters to keep writing to MPs, making the case that no assisted suicide bill be given any time in the Commons.
Even more urgently, we will need supporters in Scotland to be putting pressure on their MSPs. Liam McArthur MSP is currently analysing the results of his consultation on a draft assisted dying bill, and the bill itself could be before Holyrood by the summer. Now is the time to be lobbying MSPs. They need to know that no safeguards can ever adequately protect the vulnerable in a society with legalised killing, and that misguided ideas of compassion should not be used to lead any UK nation down this slippery slope.
Free speech
As the Government’s Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill awaits its Report stage in the House of Commons, we will continue to fight for the rights of pro-lifers to express their views. Have you signed our petition on freedom of speech for pro-life students at universities, and shared it with others?
Coercion
The focus of SPUC’s proactive campaigning in the year ahead is going to be around the issue of coercion. The abortion debate tends to centre around ideas about “choice” and “autonomy”. In reality, however, many abortions take place because a woman feels she has no choice – either because of her circumstances, or because she has been forced by her partner, family, or even medical professionals. This needs to be highlighted, and the voices of women who had abortions against their will need to be heard. One such woman is Hayley, who was pressured into an abortion at the age of 16. You’ll be hearing a lot more from Hayley in the coming months.