Westminster votes to impose pro-abortion sex ed on NI schools

Westminster politicians have voted through regulations that will force schools in Northern Ireland to teach children about abortion.

When the proposals were announced earlier this month, the Northern Ireland Office said the regulations “will result in educating adolescents on issues such as how to prevent a pregnancy, the legal right to an abortion in Northern Ireland, and how relevant services may be accessed”.

MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour by 373 to 28, but almost all the NI members opposed.

Constituents ignored

A number of MPs spoke out strongly ahead of the vote, including Sammy Wilson, MP for East Antrim, who said the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland had taken “a sensitive issue” and “trampled all over it like some kind of rogue, rampaging political elephant”.

He added: “It’s brought in with speed, it’s brought in without consultation, it doesn’t respect the deep faith that people –  parents, teachers, and the boards of governors of schools – have, and it doesn’t even provide for a parental opt-out.”

it doesn’t even provide for a parental opt-out

Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford, pointed out that while parents, teachers and churches wanted an input into the proposed regulations, they had not been consulted about the proposed guidance.

“Yet again, the Secretary of State has enforced on a majority his will over their rights. That’s how I see it, that’s how my constituents see it, and that’s how other constituents from other parts of Northern Ireland see it.”

‘Disgrace’

In the House of Lords, Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown called the imposition of the regulations “a disgrace to any Government”.

“Forcing all primary schools in Northern Ireland, including faith schools, to teach girls that they have a right to an abortion and telling them how to get one without their parents finding out, even if they are under age, is unbelievable in what is supposed to be a democratic society.”

He added that what is being proposed “is indoctrination, not education”, concluding: “The result of this legislation will add to the thousands of unborn babies and leave many young girls emotionally scarred for the rest of their lives.

indoctrination, not education

“Of course, those who have presented and supported these regulations will be nowhere to be found to pick up the pieces of these distraught young people. It will be left to many in the church community to reach out the hand of love and care while others walk away.”