ISSUES
: Abortion
Chapter 2: Abortion debate
28
Royal College of Midwives backs
abortion up to birth
T
he head of The Royal College of Midwives (RCM)
has come under stinging criticism from MPs and
pro-life campaigners after she signed up to a
campaign seeking to decriminalise abortion.
The RCM released an updated statement on abortion
last week and said it supported a campaign being run
by bpas (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) which
wants to allow abortion right up until birth.
But Cathy Warwick is now facing mounting pressure to
resign from her post after it emerged that she failed to
consult members and also failed to mention her decision
to the board of the RCM.
The
Daily Mail
also reported that as well as being Chief
Executive of the RCM, Professor Warwick is also Chairman
of bpas, prompting the Head of the Christian Medical
Fellowship, Dr Peter Saunders to call for her to resign.
MPs from across the House of Commons also expressed
outrage at the RCM’s support for abortion right up until
birth.
Fiona Bruce MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary
Pro-life Group told the
Mail
: “To propose abortion up to
birth for any reason at all is, I believe, completely out of step
both with the society and many of society’s representatives
in Parliament. We need to stand against this.”
Labour MP Rob Flello said: “I am utterly and completely
appalled by this abhorrent proposal. This wasn’t a minor
policy shift by the Royal College of Midwives, it was a
fundamental change and the reason they didn’t ask their
members is because they knew they wouldn’t get it past
them.”
Jim Shannon, DUP MP added: “I will ask the Secretary of
State for Health what discussions he has had, or will have,
with the RCM and bpas. My concern is that scrapping the
24-week cut-off would be absolutely disgraceful.”
James Mildred, spokesman for CARE told the
Mail
: “What
sort of message does the RCM’s radical stance on abortion
send to pro-life midwives? It is tragic.”
A new campaign called Not in Our Name has been set up
and the website allows you to sign an open letter to Cathy
Warwick if you are a midwife or sign a public petition if you
are a member of the public.
17 May 2016
Ö
The above information is reprinted with kind
permission from CARE. Please visit
uk for further information.
© CARE 2016
Which is closer to your point of view?
Three quarters (74%) of respondents in 23 countries around the world say abortion should be permitted.
45% say it should be permitted whenever a woman decides she wants one.
Only 5% say that abortion should never be permitted, no matter what circumstance exists.
45%
29%
12%
10%
5%
Abortion should be permitted
whenever a woman decides
she wants one
Abortion should be permitted
in certain circumstances, such
as if a woman has been raped
Abortion should not be permitted
under any circumstances, except
when the life of the mother is in
danger
Abortion should never be permitted,
no matter what circumstance exists
Don’t know/prefer not to say
Source: Ipsos Global @dvisor,
Abortion
, February 2016
“To propose abortion up to birth
for any reason at all is, I believe,
completely out of step both with
the society and many of society’s
representatives in Parliament. We
need to stand against this”
