Abortion vote (Northern Ireland)

The details

In July 2019, the Government introduced a Bill to delay the requirement to hold elections in Northern Ireland in the ongoing absence of a devolved Assembly in Belfast. This was intended to be dealt with as emergency legislation and pass all its stages in the House of Commons in one day. However, under pressure, the Government allowed time to discuss amendments on abortion and several other issues in a Committee of the Whole House.

Stella Creasy MP tabled an amendment on abortion. It required the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to implement, by regulations, the recommendations of a Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women report. The report recommended that abortion should be made more freely available in Northern Ireland, overturning the long-standing position of only permitting it in cases of risk to the mother’s life. The duty on the Secretary of State would not apply if power-sharing in Belfast resumed before 21 October 2019.

On 9 July 2019 the amendment passed by 332 votes to 99.

MPs had liberty to vote according to their conscience.

How we recorded the vote

• Voted for Westminster liberalising abortion law in Northern Ireland
• Voted against Westminster liberalising abortion law in Northern Ireland
• Abstained or was absent on the vote on Westminster liberalising abortion law in Northern Ireland
• Abstained deliberately on the vote on Westminster liberalising abortion law in Northern Ireland