Theresa May is under increasing pressure to change the law on abortion in Northern Ireland after scores of her own… Theresa May is under increasing pressure to change the law on abortion in Northern Ireland after scores of her own ministers called on her to back a vote on the issue.
Anne Milton, the skills minister and former deputy chief whip, became the latest to back a free vote in the House of Commons after Ireland voted to allow women access to abortions this weekend.
Other ministers have called for a referendum, but the Prime Minister is in a difficult position because any change in the law would be strongly opposed by the DUP, the party on which she relies for her Commons majority.
Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, warned the decision will be for Northern Ireland alone, not politicians in Westminster, in a signal to ministers to back off.
Northern Ireland only allows terminations if a woman’s life is at risk and in 2016/17 just 13 abortions were carried out in hospitals in the country.
Ms Milton said the Northern Irish system is anomalous, adding it doesn’t feel quite right that the NHS in England currently funds free abortions for Northern Irish women who don’t have the right to them.
Pressure has been increasing on Mrs May since voters in Ireland backed relaxation of abortion law by a margin of 66 per cent. Previously women had been forced to travel to get a termination, although many still have to do so in Northern Ireland because of strict rules on when an abortion can be offered.
Former minister Maria Miller called for a referendum on the issue, while Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt who is responsible for the women and equalities brief in Government said the referendum signalled a historic and great day for Ireland and a hopeful one for Northern Ireland.
That hope must be met, she added.
Nicky Morgan and three other former holders of the women and equalities role Amber Rudd, Justine Greening and Maria Miller – all back Ms Mordaunt, the Sunday Times reported. And 140 MPs are said to have signed an amendment calling for the change to happen.
But Downing Street considers it a question for Northern Ireland and not Westminster, as sources said there would not be a free vote or referendum.
They added discussion on the issue would focus minds and encourage politicians in the region to get back around the negotiating table and set up an executive in the country, leaving them free to debate abortion.
Mrs May tweeted: The Irish Referendum yesterday was an impressive show of democracy which delivered a clear and unambiguous result. I congratulate the Irish people on their decision and all of #Together4Yes on their successful campaign.
Mrs Foster said; I want to see the Northern Ireland Assembly restored and put no preconditions on the immediate establishment of an executive.
Some of those demanding change are the same people blocking devolution or demanding that Westminster change the law whilst simultaneously opposing direct rule.
A similar move to relax abortion laws, tabled in 2008, was blocked by the Labour Government amid claims an agreement had been reached for the DUP to support the party on Home Affairs changes in return.
Justice Minister Rory Stewart told BBC’s Sunday Politics the UK Government’s position as caretaker must not be used to make fundamental constitutional, ethical changes on behalf of the people in Northern Ireland.
Mrs May also faces a revolt from DUP MPs who support her in the Commons, if she moves to change abortion law.
One party source told The Telegraph: It is early days. We are not going to be bounced into anything at this stage after a referendum in another country.
We will take time to consider all of these things. We will not be jumping to a decision, especially because it is a devolved matter.
While Ian Paisley said Northern Ireland should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand.
The settled will of the people has been to afford protections to the unborn life and protect the life of the mother, he said.
But Commons Health Select Committee chairwoman and Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who backed a change in the law, said:
As this is a devolved issue, if an amendment is not accepted by the Speaker, then there should at very least be a referendum in N Ireland on this issue.
And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said the Prime Minister should take advantage of the current lack of a devolved administration in Stormont and push for reform from Westminster.