United Kingdom passes amendment to decriminalize abortion 379 to 137 in the House of Commons

[Safiel]

U.K. lawmakers vote to decriminalize abortion

Amendment to crime bill would prevent women from being criminally punished for ending a pregnancy

www.theglobeandmail.com

The House of Commons of the United Kingdom voted to pass an amendment to a pending crime bill that repeals an 1861 law criminalizing abortion. The vote was 379 to 137. Notably, it was an "unwhipped" vote, meaning that all members were free to vote their conscience. The government did not take a position on the issue.

The underlying crime bill is expected to pass later this week. Then it will go to the House of Lords, which is unlikely to change the amendment but is likely to pass the crime bill.

Note that women still must get the approval of two doctors and have a qualifying reason, such as fetal deformity or risk to maternal health.

This does NOT establish abortion on demand. It merely ends the cruel prosecutions that have been going on in the United Kingdom as of late.

 

[joluoto]

One step forward, let's hope it doesn't come with two steps back.

Also here's BBC in case you end up blocked by the paywall.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion for women in England and Wales​

 

[Infinite Chaos]

Note that women still must get the approval of two doctors and have a qualifying reason, such as fetal deformity or risk to maternal health.

This does NOT establish abortion on demand. It merely ends the cruel prosecutions that have been going on in the United Kingdom as of late.

Also that it is a minuscule number of women who end up needing an abortion after the usual 24 week cutoff.