Westminster must let the people decide

Sir, – Some truly extraordinary passions have been aroused about the right to have an abortion in Northern Ireland.

It leads to some interesting questions about devolution and what powers the various legislatures should have.

In a controversial measure the law on medical termination of pregnancy was devolved to Holyrood two years ago after nearly half a century of debate.

No serious proposal has yet been put forward to make the law different to what exists in England and Wales.

The fact remains that the Scottish Government has the right to change the law if it could get parliamentary consent for it.

This may seem a theoretical point but if it has the right to make a separate law, say by reducing the time limit for terminations by four weeks, why should the Northern Ireland Assembly (which is , of course, temporarily suspended) not have the same right?

The more strident supporters of a woman’s right to choose will no doubt say that this is not the central issue.

What matters is the right of women to have an abortion in the province at all.

Even then it can be argued that the people there should have the final say.

Westminster cannot credibly argue that it believes in local autonomy and then impose a solution from the centre.

One of the most controversial matters of our time should not be resolved by diktat but by democratic discussion. Bob Taylor.

24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.

Picture: Getty. Dr Rebecca Gomperts, second right, leads supporters as the abortion rights campaign group ROSA (Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity) hold a rally in Northern Ireland.