Q&A

What is ‘decriminalisation’?

Abortion would no longer be a criminal offence – for women or doctors. Women could carry out DIY abortions using pills bought online. The procedure may be done for any reason, including inconvenience. Currently a woman who has an illegal abortion faces a life sentence, and the doctor who performs it faces five years.

What happens now?

The BMA will adopt a policy backing decriminalisation and lobby the Government to change the law. It will side with the Royal College of Midwives and many MPs.

Would it lead to abortions up to birth, or due to the sex?

In all probability, no. Abortions would be regulated by the General Medical Council who would draw up rules similar to the current law. Doctors who performed sex selective abortions – or those very late in pregnancy – would face being struck off.

What do opponents say?

Decriminalisation would lead to ‘abortion on demand’ as women would no longer need the signatures of two doctors, or to prove there was a health risk.

What do supporters say?

Existing legislation goes against women’s choice and deters them from having abortions – inadvertently encouraging them to buy illegal pills online. They point out that no other medical procedure is governed by criminal law.