|
MPs have now voted on the upper time limit for abortion, retaining the need for a father, mixing human and animals to create hybrid embryos for experimentation and creating saviour (or spare part) siblings. All the votes went against the wishes of the majority of people in the country, and the objectives of the Passion for Life campaign.
See below for how your MP voted, and write to them to thank them if you agree, and let them know if your didn't. Remember to consider this information when you come to vote at the next general election.
How your MP voted on the amendments to reduce the upper time limit for abortion
How your MP voted on keeping the need for a Father
How your MP voted on creating Saviour (or spare part) siblings
How your MP voted on creating human and animal mixed embryos for experimentation.
Reaction to votes in the House of Commons;
Ian Lucas, campaign coordinator of the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group, said: “We are disappointed MPs have not seen fit to recognise the wishes of three quarters of the population by lowering the time limit.
This comes despite pleas from many MPs to recognise research which has shown that children younger than 24 weeks can survive.
“This decision is ironic, at a time when the government is attempting to show it is listening and responding to public opinion. Regardless of reassurances of a free vote, Gordon Brown had clearly signalled his own preferences, thus providing many others with direction.”
“We will continue the fight to reflect the wishes of the public, and support the rights of the unborn child.”
Hundreds join the National Lobby of Parliament
An estimated 600 people, representing many thousands from all parts of the UK descended onto Westminster for the National lobby of Parliament, opposing the controversial measures in the HFE bill.
Passion for Life campaign co-ordinator Ian Lucas said ‘This astonishing turnout shows how strongly people fell about the outrageous proposals in the bill. It was an amazing site to see hundreds of people make their way to Parliament holding banners that spoke of ‘protecting the family’, and not mixing animals and humans to create mixed embryos’.
This was the latest event in a series of action days around the country as part of the Passion for Life campaign. Dozens of public meetings, some with up to 1000 people have sent strong messages, and almost 1.5 million letters and cards have been distributed for sending to MPs.
The creation of human/animal hybrid embryos, the removal of ‘Fatherhood’, and the creation of so called ‘saviour’ (or spare part) siblings are the areas of the bill causing greatest concern.
The lobby illustrated how outraged people are over the proposals in the bill, and the way in which the Government are introducing these unethical laws without proper debate, and by placing a 3 line whip on significant parts of the bill (items that would normally be considered free ‘conscience’ votes).
David Burrowes MP has described the speed at which the bill is being forced through as ‘bringing Parliament into disrepute’.
A large majority of people are also expressing outrage that after 18 years of not discussing abortion, only 3 hours have been allocated to the issue, which could lead to even more liberal laws making abortion even more common. This goes against the majority of people's views, especially as the UK is fast becoming the abortion capital of Europe with 200,000 abortions every year.
Ian Lucas continued ‘MPs will do well to take note of the strength of feeling there is in the country on these issues. It’s frankly outrageous that such an important subject as abortion should be rushed through the House of Commons. Britain is becoming the ethical rogue state of Europe for it's determination to push through embryology laws against public opinion, which are largely uneeded, and hugely controversial. Nowhere else in Europe are the laws so lenient’.
At the lobby, Lord Alton, and David Burrowes MP addressed the crowds, and recommitted themselves to continue to fight against this bill, and for measures that would enhance the dignity of human life.
What is the Passion for Life (P4L) campaign?
P4L exists to raise awareness of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Bill currently going through Parliament. On this site you will find info on the bill, what the Government is planning, and what you can do about it.
Contact us with any further questions you may have, and see the 'Web Links' page for lobby groups and others all working to oppose much of what's in the bill. Check back daily for ongoing updates and latest news.
P4L Campaign objectives
P4L opposes the further devaluing of human life through the HFE bill
P4L opposes the creation of Human/Animal hybrids
P4L will oppose any amendments to the law that will have the effect of
making abortion easier.
P4L will propose amendments to the law that would have the effect of
making abortion rarer.
P4L opposes the removal of the 'need for a Father' from law, as proposed
by this bill, for any child resulting from IVF treatment
P4L opposes increased use of embryos in stem cell research, especially
where alternatives are available.
P4L believes all issues of conscience should be subject to free votes in Parliament, consistent with the original bill in 1990
P4L believes there should be a national bio-ethics commission set up to
regulate the bio-tec industry
William Wilberforce would oppose the HFE bill and abortion
"I am often asked what would be the campaigns Wilberforce would be fighting if he were alive in 21st Century Britain. I believe there would be a number of different issues - among them human traffiking and the scourge of drugs. But almost certainly at the top of the list, would be the issue of abortion" - Father Gerard Wilberforce, Great Great Grandson of the great man writes for P4L here.
James Mawdsley says "Get a conscience, MPs should have free votes"
Former Prisoner of Conscience James Mawdsley is urging as many people as possible to sign the Downing Street Petition calling for Free Votes on the HFE bill, allowing MP's to use their conscience. The petition is here, and the story is here.
Out of hours press contacts are Alan Murray - 07887 877077 and Ian Lucas - 07889 109809 |
