Discussion Group – August 2022
The Discussion Group met on Monday 8th August at the Manor House, with 6 of us present to discuss abortion, particularly relevant following the US Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v Wade. A few statistics were presented. There were 215,000 abortions in 2021, an increase that started in 2016 from a stable level of 185,000 per year for some years before. 99% were NHS funded, 77% carried out in the private sector and 89% carried out at 10 weeks or less.
Everyone present was pro choice. As convenor, (and incidentally the only man present) I wanted to point out what I felt were some anomalies under our present laws. The 1967 Act required two doctors to certify that a woman’s reasons for requesting an abortion were justified under the law. I felt that there was an argument to be made for new legislation to be brought in allowing abortion on demand, since I felt this would reflect current practice. A review of the 24 week limit might be reviewed at the same time with a view to lowering it following medical advances.
This was firmly quashed by everyone else. It was generally felt that there were considerable dangers in opening abortion up for discussion, particularly at this time. There was concern that the highly polarised views evident in the US could gain a foothold here, and that it was better to continue with our somewhat fluid and flexible approach to law, allowing some evolution in practise as views and customs change.
We talked at some length about the situation in the US. It was pointed out that the changes made by the Supreme Court, making the individual state legislatures responsible for abortion law, is to some extent mirrored in the UK. The 1967 Abortion Act had never applied to Northern Ireland, and in the last decade abortion law had been devolved to both Scotland and Northern Ireland. However the hugely restrictive laws being enacted by some states gave concern that the provision of contraception could also be at risk. Mention was also made of the scandal surrounding the mother and baby homes in the Republic of Ireland, which, together with a general decline in support for organised religion, have led to changes in attitude and law throughout the island.
Somewhat battered, the sole representative of the patriarchy brought matters to a close. We shall be discussing nationalisation next time. Sadly Hilary is moving, and will no longer be a regular fixture at our discussions, although she’s planning to come back from time to time. We shall miss her entertaining presence and thoughtful insights.
Please note that the views expressed by the Discussion Group may not represent those of the wider Dawlish and District membership.