Rupert Lowe’s newly launched political party, Restore Britain, has pledged that it would repeal both the assisted suicide bill and the recent move to decriminalise abortion if it were to secure a majority in the House of Commons.
In a post published on X, the party stated: “Restore Britain would repeal the assisted dying bill and reverse recent changes which decriminalise abortion up to birth. British Christians now have a political party that represents their views, and will act on it.”
The statement marks one of the clearest policy positions yet from the fledgling party, which was formally established after Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, was removed from Reform UK. Restore Britain is expected to operate as a national umbrella party, partnering with locally based political groups who are willing to join the apparatus.
By explicitly committing to reversing both measures, Restore Britain is positioning itself as a socially conservative alternative on the right of British politics, appealing particularly to voters concerned about recent changes in life and bioethical legislation.
This could come as a surprise to many as the party’s sole MP, Lowe, voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its second reading in the House of Commons. He claimed this was because the majority of his constituents who he has polled were in favour of the measure. He changed his mind at the third reading due to worries about the realities of the Bill.
The bill, proposed by Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater, would permit assisted suicide for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. Its currently undergoing scrutiny in the House of Lords. With only limited parliamentary time remaining before the King’s Speech, the bill is expected to run out of time unless the government intervenes to allocate further sitting days, a move the Lords Chief Whip has said would not happen again.
This has been happening whilst MPs have voted to remove criminal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies outside the current legal framework, including after 24 weeks.
This would effectively result in repercussion-free abortion up-to-birth in England and Wales. The change must still complete its passage through the House of Lords before becoming law.
SPUC’s Executive Director, Michael Robinson, has said about the announcement, “Restore Britain’s announcement signals that abortion and assisted suicide are likely to become increasingly significant dividing lines in British politics, particularly among voters motivated by moral and religious concerns. We are glad that a party with representation in Westminster has committed to reversing these terrible blows to vulnerable life, were they to become law. We hope such a strong policy stance can be taken by larger parties in parliament too.”
If you’re reading this and haven’t yet donated to SPUC, please consider helping now. Thank You!
