Ending the life of an unborn child is merely part of healthcare and current safeguards should be dispensed with, according to new Liberal Democrat policy.
Party members also voted in favour of ‘buffer zones’ around abortion centres and said Northern Ireland “should not be left behind”.
Also at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton this week, delegates faced protests from an anti-prostitution group, which said the Party supports men who sell women for profit.
‘Freedom’
Liberal Democrat party positions are decided by members at its conferences, and so the abortion motion entitled “Establishing Real Freedom of Choice” now becomes official policy.
Everyone regardless of gender identity has a right to make independent decisions over their reproductive health without interference by the state.
It says abortion should be “legal unless it doesn’t have the agreement of 2 doctors”, so that “abortion is treated as a healthcare issue”.
Currently, it is legal in Great Britain to abort unborn children up to 24 weeks, or up to birth if doctors believe the baby will be born with a disability.
Northern Ireland has stronger rules that protect the unborn.
Gender identity
The Party states: “Everyone regardless of gender identity has a right to make independent decisions over their reproductive health without interference by the state.”
And on so-called buffer zones, the Lib Dems suggest that women are routinely harassed outside abortion centres.
This is despite the Government recently confirming that nearly all pro-life activities in such areas involve “praying, displaying banners and handing out leaflets”. The Government also stated support for the ‘proud British tradition’ of people being “free to gather together and to demonstrate their views”.
Conscience
While the Lib Dem motion supports “impartial sources of advice” for women considering an abortion, it fails to give any detail.
Separately at the conference, members faced criticism for the Party’s position on prostitution and online sexual images.
Campaigners from the Not Buying It group said the Lib Dems’ policies are “pro-pimp, pro trafficking”.
Children
Dr Sasha Rakoff, of the organisation, added: “They even think sex trafficking can be consensual.
“They are pro-prostitution. They see pimps as businessmen.
“And they oppose any moves to protect children from porn”.
Responding for the Party, a spokesman said: “Liberal Democrats will decriminalise the sale and purchase of sex, and the management of sex work.”
“We would provide additional support for those wishing to leave sex work”, the spokesman added.