Northern Ireland abortion reform

Abortion as an individual human right or by the will of a majority? The NI Assembly wants to “send a signal”

Brian Walker on June 2, 2020, 3:47 pm | Readers 1712

Heidi Crowter, anti-abortion campaigner Do the new regulations permitting abortion in Northern Ireland extend to foetal abnormalties like Down’s syndrome or not? Behind the question is a constitutional argument over whether Westminster had the moral right to enact an abortion law over the heads, even when they were in suspension. But although the DUP and SF seem to be in broad agreement, they seem to be content to win two separate majorities by designation rather than go for an overall …

Is the coronavirus emergency an excuse not to implement the new abortion regulations?

Brian Walker on April 8, 2020, 10:23 pm | Readers 1033

Are Northern Ireland civil servants and health trusts stalling on implementing abortion regulations passed by Westminster during Stormont’s suspension because of DUP pressure? Perhaps not, they have a lot else on their plate; but it doesn’t look good. How will GP surgeries react? Will there be a significant number of conscientious objectors to abortion referrals and prescribing morning after pills? The Executive – wouldn’t you know it – is split. Arlene Foster has made no secret of her opposition but …

We’re heading for an autumn general election, the postponement of NI abortion reform and temporary direct rule

Brian Walker on July 17, 2019, 11:23 am | Readers 4805

No to time limits or unilateral escape hatches or all these elaborate devices, glosses, codicils and so on that you could apply to the backstop,” he told a debate hosted by The Sun on Monday.

Brian Walker

Former BBC journalist and manager in Belfast, Manchester and London, Editor Spolight; Political Editor BBC NI; Current Affairs Commissioning editor BBC Radio 4; Editor Political and Parliamentary Programmes, BBC Westminster; former London Editor Belfast Telegraph. Hon Senior Research Fellow, The Constitution Unit, Univ Coll. London

The direct Westminster route to abortion reform is not the one to follow. It’s time for civil society to step up to the plate

Brian Walker on May 28, 2018, 7:41 pm | Readers 2365

Northern Ireland as a place apart over abortion rights has exposed many English MPs to the complexities of devolution for the first time over something they care about deeply, so much so that they seemed at first to dismiss them altogether. There is a precedent of a kind. On Brexit Westminster is ignoring the SNP government’s refusal to assent to the terms of EU withdrawal on the grounds that this is a reserved matter for Westminster. Although abortion rights are …

After the huge majority in the Republic, all is changed utterly in the North. The Union is more at stake than ever

Brian Walker on May 27, 2018, 11:27 am | Readers 5575

The scale of the verdict in the Article 8 referendum will create a new surge and a new context in Northern Ireland politics. While it would be an exaggeration to say that it might even sweep away the entire unionist position if it does not radically change, even that is not inconceivable, if added to the impact of a hard Brexit. NI abortion reform and the risk to the UK government While all bets are off, it would be unwise …