Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pressure on for Northern Ireland abortion reform
Mixed reactions to referendum
THERESA May has congratulated the Irish people on their decision in the abortion referendum amid pressure to liberalise the strict laws here.
Ministers, even within her own Cabinet, have indicated their support for liberalisation of laws to resolve an “anomaly” within the British Isles.
Scores of MPS across the Commons have indicated they are prepared to act to rewrite the current legislation given the absence of a devolved administration in Stormont. But the Prime Minister faces a political headache over calls to act because her fragile administration depends on the support of the 10 Democratic Unionist Party MPS who strongly oppose any reform to Northern Ireland’s strict laws.
And Westminster intervening in a devolved issue could also lead to wider concerns about the political situation in Northern Ireland.
In a post on Twitter, Mrs May said: “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.”
Downing Street is understood to believe that any reform in Northern Ireland “is an issue for Northern Ireland”. A source said: “It shows one of the important reasons we need a functioning executive back up and running.”
Education Minister Anne Milton suggested she would back liberalisation if there was a free vote, saying the current situation “does feel anomalous”, speaking to ITV’S Peston on Sunday.
Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt, who is responsible for the women and equalities brief in Government, said it signalled a “historic day for Ireland” and a “hopeful one for Northern
Ireland”. However, former first minister Arlene Foster has insisted nothing has changed for Northern Ireland.
The DUP leader said: “Friday’s referendum has no impact upon the law in Northern Ireland, but we obviously take note of issues impacting upon our nearest neighbour.
“A referendum was held in the Republic of Ireland because of the constitutional prohibition on abortion. No such constitutional bar exists in Northern Ireland. The legislation governing abortion is a devolved matter and it is for the Northern Ireland Assembly to debate and decide such issues.
“The DUP is a pro-life party and we will continue to articulate our position.
“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.”
Former women and equalities minister Justine Greening said: “It’s time for action to achieve the rights for NI women that we have across the UK.”
Sarah Wollaston, the Tory chairwoman of the Commons Health Select Committee, said: “If an amendment is not accepted by the Speaker, then there should at very least be a referendum in Northern Ireland on this issue.”
But Justice Minister Rory Stewart told BBC’S Sunday Politics the UK Government was acting as a “caretaker” administration in the absence of Stormont.
DUP MP Ian Paisley said Northern Ireland “should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand”.
Labour MP Stella Creasy claimed more than 140 parliamentarians had already signalled support for an effort to change the law in Northern
Ireland, saying the people here “consistently support change” in the abortion law.
The forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill promised by ministers could be used as a vehicle for MPS hoping to change the law here.
Abortions are currently only legal in Northern Ireland if the life or mental health of the mother is at risk.
The victory for the “Yes” campaign “must propel the UK government to ensure women in Northern Ireland aren’t left behind”, Amnesty International UK said.
The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Noble Mcneely, expressed a “profound sense of sadness” at the result, stating he hoped “the Government and the Oireachtas would make abortions rare in Ireland”.