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MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in UK

Daily Mail

MPs vote in favour of measures to decriminalise abortion in move to make biggest law change in more than 50 years

Independent

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in biggest change to reproductive rights in decades

The Telegraph

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion at any point up to birth

Guardian

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in step forward for reproductive rights

Politico

No abortion wars please, were British

GB News

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in historic vote as women will no longer be prosecuted

Christian Daily International

UK Christian medical group warns 'misguided' abortion decriminalization plans remove safeguards, put women's lives at risk

Reuters

Uk Parliament Votes Decriminalise Abortion Repeal Victorian Era Law 2025 06 17

BBC News

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion for women in England and Wales

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"EVERYONE KNOWS I WOULD NOT SUPPORT A FEDERAL ABORTION BAN, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WOULD, IN FACT, VETO IT."

A national abortion ban is "just not a reality."

Trump "has been very clear that he will NOT sign a federal ban when he is back in the White House."

"I don't think we'll get 60 votes in the Senate for any kind of national legislation [on a federal abortion ban]."

"[U]nless something really unusual happens in this election, neither side is going to have the votes in Congress to pass a national law [on abortion]."

Many elected Republicans "support policies that would devastate our communities, including potentially a nationwide abortion ban."

"[I]f Republicans get into power, they will not hesitate to push for a national abortion ban."

"There is very little doubt that Trump will sign a national abortion ban."

"[I]f Donald Trump were to be re-elected, he will sign a national abortion ban."

If Donald Trump wins the election, "there will be an abortion ban in our country; that's a guarantee."

Will Elective Abortion Be Banned Nationally in the US?

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi's amendment modifies the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, which previously made it a criminal offense punishable by life imprisonment for women to procure their own miscarriage. The reform protects vulnerable women from investigation and prosecution while keeping existing abortion access frameworks unchanged, including the 24-week limit and requirement for two doctors' approval.</span

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi's amendment modifies the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, which previously made it a criminal offense punishable by life imprisonment for women to procure their own miscarriage. The reform protects vulnerable women from investigation and prosecution while keeping existing abortion access frameworks unchanged, including the 24-week limit and requirement for two doctors' approval.

Six women have appeared in court over the past three years for ending or attempting to end their pregnancies, including high-profile cases like Nicola Packer, who was cleared after a four-year legal process, and Carla Foster, whose prison sentence was suspended on appeal. These prosecutions often involved vulnerable women who were victims of domestic abuse, trafficking, or who misunderstood gestational limits for at-home abortion pills during the pandemic.</span

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Six women have appeared in court over the past three years for ending or attempting to end their pregnancies, including high-profile cases like Nicola Packer, who was cleared after a four-year legal process, and Carla Foster, whose prison sentence was suspended on appeal. These prosecutions often involved vulnerable women who were victims of domestic abuse, trafficking, or who misunderstood gestational limits for at-home abortion pills during the pandemic.

Conservative MPs and anti-abortion groups opposed the reform, arguing it would allow terminations "up to birth for any reason" and enable sex-selective abortions without consequences. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the amendment as "extreme," while the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children called it "barbaric" and warned it removes protections for unborn children while potentially endangering women through unsafe procedures.</span

Conservative MPs and anti-abortion groups opposed the reform, arguing it would allow terminations "up to birth for any reason" and enable sex-selective abortions without consequences. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the amendment as "extreme," while the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children called it "barbaric" and warned it removes protections for unborn children while potentially endangering women through unsafe procedures.

Medical organizations and abortion providers welcomed the vote as a "landmark moment for women's rights," with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists calling it a "victory for essential reproductive rights." The British Pregnancy Advisory Service described it as the most significant change since the 1967 Abortion Act, emphasizing that women will no longer be "dragged from hospital beds to police vans" over pregnancy-related decisions.</span

Medical organizations and abortion providers welcomed the vote as a "landmark moment for women's rights," with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists calling it a "victory for essential reproductive rights." The British Pregnancy Advisory Service described it as the most significant change since the 1967 Abortion Act, emphasizing that women will no longer be "dragged from hospital beds to police vans" over pregnancy-related decisions.

The amendment must still pass through the House of Lords before becoming law, though it is expected to succeed given Labour's parliamentary majority. Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated support for the reform while attending the G7 summit, stating his "long-standing position" that women have the right to safe and legal abortion, though the vote was conducted as a free vote allowing MPs to follow their conscience.</span

The amendment must still pass through the House of Lords before becoming law, though it is expected to succeed given Labour's parliamentary majority. Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated support for the reform while attending the G7 summit, stating his "long-standing position" that women have the right to safe and legal abortion, though the vote was conducted as a free vote allowing MPs to follow their conscience.

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Abortion

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

U.K. MPs Vote to Decriminalize Abortion

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

U.K. MPs Vote to Decriminalize Abortion

This extreme measure allows abortion up to birth for any reason, including sex selection, with zero consequences for women. The rushed debate ignored public opinion and removes vital protections that deter dangerous home procedures and coercive partners from forcing late-term abortions on vulnerable women.

This extreme measure allows abortion up to birth for any reason, including sex selection, with zero consequences for women. The rushed debate ignored public opinion and removes vital protections that deter dangerous home procedures and coercive partners from forcing late-term abortions on vulnerable women.

UK MPs Vote to Decriminalize Abortion in Historic Reform

U.K.UK MPs Vote to Decriminalize Abortion in Historic Reform

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