The Liberal Democrat Party supports abortion and would not seek to change the current law, its election spokesman has said.
In Great Britain, abortions generally can take place up to 24 weeks but disabled children can be aborted up to birth.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Ed Davey was questioned if the law should be tightened.
Conscientious objection
He replied that if the Lib Dems were in power, “we wouldn’t change the law”.
“Liberal Democrats believe that women should have the right to choose”, he added.
The statements are the strongest the Party has made on abortion since 1992 when it decided that NHS employees who have a conscientious objection to abortion should nonetheless refer women to a colleague who supports abortion.
Unclear
Previously the Party has allowed its elected representatives a free vote on abortion. It is now unclear whether that will now continue.
The Liberal Democrat manifesto for the upcoming General Election, released today, gives no further information.
The statement follows Labour’s manifesto commitment to remove legal protections for the unborn in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland
Currently, the Abortion Act 1967 does not apply in Northern Ireland, where abortion remains illegal except to preserve the life of the mother.
The manifesto states: “Labour will continue to ensure a woman’s right to choose a safe, legal abortion – and we will work with the Assembly to extend that right to women in Northern Ireland.”
It is also the policy of the Green Party to support abortion.
#GEtinvolved
Download Election Briefing 2017 for an analysis of party policies on many issues where important Christian principles are at stake and where biblical principles directly apply.
The document also considers why you should vote, biblical priorities in voting, upcoming issues of concern and much more.