Abortion vote decision ‘made with integrity’
MP defends her position after online backlash
ANDREA LAMBROU & FRASER WILSON
Lisa Cameron has defended her decision to vote against extending abortion rights to Northern Ireland amid a ferocious online backlash.
The country was the only part of the UK where abortion remains illegal, but last week MPs voted resoundingly to extend same-sex marriage and access to abortion there.
The historic vote was passed by 332 to 99 and brings the region in line with the rest of the UK – but the MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow was one of the 99 MPs that voted against extending abortion rights there.
She said she voted in line with her own views on abortion due to personal experiences and her religious beliefs.
Now she has been forced to defend her decision in the face of hundreds of abusive messages and threats, including images of rape and threats to ‘abort her’.
The SNP politician told the News: “My staff have had over 1000 messages to patrol since the vote and Parliamentary Security have had to become involved.
“Abuse, bullying, calling me vile names and I have been sent numerous images of rape, with captions suggesting I don’t support women, when actually I treated many rape survivors within the NHS.
“Another individual has stated that they are coming to ‘abort me’.”
Dr Cameron staunchly supports same-sex marriage rights and says that, despite the Northern Ireland Assembly’s support for this, its views on abortion remain unclear.
Posting on her Facebook page, she added: “I voted against extending abortion rights in NI in a free vote of conscience.
“Due to my religious beliefs and also the personal experience of suffering two traumatic miscarriages late in term which altered my views on current abortion laws.
“I am very blessed to have two beautiful children, but would have loved to have had my four, which makes me feel life is very precious.
“Whether you agree or disagree with my decision, I have made it with integrity, and certainly not with any eye on the ballot box. It was a free vote of conscience.”
The MP’s decision has been attacked by abortion rights campaigners and politicians who have slammed her views as discriminatory.
Some of her constituents vowed not to vote for her in the next election, maintaining that she should have abstained from voting.
One constituent proclaimed that it was “abhorrent” for the MP to base a political decision on religion.
Kirsty McLeod said: “As a woman I have the right to decide what I do with my own body as do all women all over the world.
“Someone who is not even a part of the situation does not have the right to tell any woman what they can and cannot do with their own body.
“Church and State are, and should, remain entirely separate.”
However, constituent Susan Baird backed her MP, saying: “You have been very brave to disclose how you voted.
“As you said, it was a vote of conscience and you voted with yours.”
Dr Cameron responded to her critics saying she took the decision knowing it would be unpopular, but refused to take the “easier route”.
She added: “For those who espouse tolerance, we should also respect our differences and try to understand each others’ experiences particularly in votes of conscience.”