Northern Ireland abortion: Irish vote puts pressure on Theresa May
Senior Tories urge the Prime Minister to back reform of Northern Ireland’s strict abortion law
Theresa May is facing growing calls to allow a referendum on liberalising abortion in Northern Ireland after the Republic voted overwhelmingly in favour of widening access to terminations.
Senior Conservative MPs, including Women and Equalities minister Penny Mordaunt, have joined Labour and the Liberal Democrats in calling for Northern Ireland’s abortion laws to be reformed.
Northern Ireland has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, with terminations prohibited unless there is a serious risk to the mother’s mental or physical health.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
More than 140 MPs are now said to be prepared to back an amendment to the domestic violence bill, coordinated by Labour MP Stella Creasy, to allow abortions in Ulster, the Daily Mirror reports.
“That could be the vehicle that allows MPs to hold a historic vote in Westminster,” the newspaper says.
But DUP leader Arlene Foster, whose party props up Theresa May’s government, said the result of Friday’s referendum in Ireland would have “no impact” on the province.
"The legislation governing abortion is a devolved matter and it is for the Northern Ireland Assembly to debate and decide such issues,” she said.
Downing Street echoed her comments, with a spokesperson arguing that this “very sensitive issue highlights the pressing need to restore a fully functioning executive” in Stormont.
But as Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government for 18 months, pressure is growing on May’s government to intervene.
The issue is now “out of Stormont's hands due to the continuing stalemate - and pro-choice campaigners will be focusing their fight at Westminster, which presents a major headache for the Prime Minister,” says the BBC’s Jane McCormack.
“May will have to walk yet another political tightrope,” she adds. “She won't want to upset the DUP and risk her parliamentary majority but the growing pressure from within her own party and across Parliament on this issue means she will have to do something.”
Infographic by www.statista.com for TheWeek.co.uk.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Playful goslings, an exploding snowman, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
In what states is abortion legal, illegal, and in limbo?
In The Spotlight Where American states stand on abortion care
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'This isn't judicial restraint — it's judicial activism'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'For employers and their workers, welcome to a minefield'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Young kids simply shouldn't be on social media'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Being an economist makes me an optimist'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Florida court OKs abortion ban, referendum to reverse it
Speed Read The state Supreme Court upheld the six-week abortion ban, but a proposed amendment will appear on the November ballot
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published