York Outer MP Luke Charters says he will vote to decriminalise abortion today (Tuesday).
Abortion in England and Wales remains a criminal offence but is legal with an authorised provider up to 24 weeks, with very limited circumstances allowing one after this time.
These include when the mother’s life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability.
Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill would result in “removing the threat of investigation, arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment” of any woman who acts in relation to her own pregnancy.
Mr Charters said he is right behind the law change.
“Women should not face criminal investigation during their most challenging moments,” he said.
“Abortion is healthcare. Decisions about women’s bodies should not be subject to criminal investigation – especially under legislation written in 1861, when women weren’t even afforded the vote.
“We cannot have laws from that era determining what women can do with their bodies in the 21st century.
“In recent years, we have seen too many women face criminal investigation and prosecution – these investigations can turn a woman’s life upside down – only adding to the stress of an incredibly traumatic situation in the first place.”
Differing views
His stance is likely to put him at odds with Labour colleague and York Central MP Rachael Maskell.
In 2019 she was one of only five in the Labour Party to vote against an amendment to extend England’s more liberal abortion laws to Northern Ireland.
Another opponent to today’s amendment is Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
She said she believes safe and legal abortions are part of female healthcare, but branded the amendments “unnecessary” and “dangerous”.
“I am deeply concerned to see these measures being progressed in the name of women’s rights, when the potential physical and mental impacts on women would be so devastating,” she wrote.
But Mr Charters takes a very different view. “We must ensure that women in York – and across the country – can access timely, safe, and legal reproductive healthcare without fear, judgement, or delay,” he said.
“There’s a very real risk that, without these changes, women who experience miscarriage or take abortion pills outside the formal system could find themselves being investigated by the police. That’s simply unacceptable and plain wrong.
“Ultimately, women should have the right to choose what is done to their bodies and this amendment provides that and ensures that no woman in our country faces criminal investigation for simply excessing her right to choose.”
