Labour Replies

Abortion Rights Committee Scotland – replies from Labour Leadership and Deputy Leadership candidates. November 2014 Leader Candidates Sarah Boyack Thank you for your letter inviting me to give you my views on the issue of abortion Rights. I have been a strong supporter of a women’s right to choose since I became interested in politics as a young woman. As our NHS faces unprecedented pressure financially, it is vital that those rights are upheld and services both for abortion and reproductive health are not undermined. It is particularly important that there is easy access to GP services as I know from the experience of constituents in my own region that some GP practices are under such pressure that they operate a waiting list to get access to practices and thus they are effectively closed. In relation to the issue of whether a referral for abortion services should only be required from one doctor, my initial response would be that I can see the argument that there is a need for a check and balance for accessing this service, but I would be happy to discuss this further with LARC. I also believe that alongside access to good health services sits the need for good advice about sexual health in relation to contraception sexually transmitted diseases and abortion services. Although it is particularly important for young women to have access to good information, I believe that young men also need this information so that they can take responsibly for their actions and be in a better position to support women. The experience of older women also needs to be considered with specific support available for them too. As Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on International Development I have taken a keen interest in the rights of women across the world. The next round of the Millennium Development Goals will offer the chance to ensure that women’s sexual health is on the agenda and that Governments and NGOs work to support equality for women through good quality health services and education about reproductive rights. Neil Findlay I cannot imagine the anguish and the range of emotions that any woman goes through when faced with the decision of whether to terminate a pregnancy. It must be a heart-breaking choice which will affect that person for the rest of her life. The 1967 Abortion Act was a necessary piece of legislation we must never, ever return to 1 the dark days of back street abortionists where women suffered and died in the grimmest and most desperate of conditions. Jim Murphy This is rightly a very sensitive issue, and one that should be debated with enormous care. It is a matter of personal conscience and should never be an issue of party politics. I believe in a woman's right to choose. I do not believe that the laws on abortion should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Regardless of individual views, women should not be harassed or persecuted for any decision they do make. Too often the debate fails to address some of the wider social issues including relationship and sexual health education, unplanned pregnancy, deprivation and lack of family and emotional support. These issues must also be addressed. Deputy Leader Candidates Katy Clarke I support the right to choose. The first abortion rights campaign I was involved in was the Alton Bill campaign when I was involved in the group in Aberdeen and attended meetings in Glasgow, a lobby and march at Westminster and I have been involved in a number of campaigns since including recent attempts to restrict abortion rights by reducing the number of weeks. I also have supported extending the Act to Northern Ireland. In the 21 st century all women should have the right to a clean and safe abortion, free of charge and without fear of prosecution. It is important that the law safeguards this right. I therefore believe it is right that we look at areas where current legislation places unnecessary barriers on a woman’s right to choose, such as requiring two doctors’ signatures, and look at how these can be removed at the earliest opportunity. Kezia Dugdale Thank you for contacting me regarding this important matter. Please pass on my apologies for the delay in responding, and feel free to use my response below for your media activity, as you see fit. Please be assured that I strongly support a women's right to choose. 2 I am horrified by the reported statistic that, somewhere in the world, every 11 minutes a woman will die through a botched abortion. I strongly share your concern for the women - and girls - put in danger through opposition to abortion services, some very close to home. This is not simply a 'women's issue', but a human right. The provision of safe, legal and accessible services that ensure women’s lives are not put at risk are fundamental to this. As with all rights, this has been hard won, and I share your concern too that it continues to be threatened nearly half a century on from the 1967 Abortion Act. It should never be restricted by religious belief or dogma, but led by evidence, as well as compassion for every woman facing the choice of having an abortion. Legislation should therefore continue to be improved, and I agree that removing the need for two doctors' signatures would be a step to doing so. I hope this has made my views clear, but please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to follow up on a particular point. 3.

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