THE NATIONAL conference of Labour November, firmly opposed David Alton's Bill to reduce the time limits on legal abortion.
of Labour women to supporting the FAB campaign and ensuring the Bill's defeat. During the emergency debate on Sunday morning every one of the 14 speakers from the floor added their opposition to that of Jo Richardson MP from the platform. emergency composite resolution and the statement reproduced below were agreed upon, which included calling on Labour MPs to respect party policy and vote against the Bill. An official collection for FAB was taken at the end of conference.
THE Labour Party long been record in suport of the 1967 Abortion Act and successive annual conferences have passed resolutions favour of the right of every woman to choose, and for proper provision facilities under the NHS throughout the country.
These commitments featured in general manifesto reaffirmed by an NEC statement to the 1987 annual conference.
we know that much has been achieved over the last 20 years since the 1967 Act: the tragedies and exploitation backstreet abortions have become a thing of the past. Abortion is now a safe operation.
Error David Alton is a self-confessed anti-abortionist.
The intention of his Bill to weeks is to start destroying the 1967 Act.
Its practical effect will be a limit of 14 weeks for 1LUSL margin of error of prosecution. This Vasc will have a dramatic effect upon women's rights and on the novsica and menta health of women who will be excluded.
The Bill will mean that women will have no choice Delegates committed the national organisation continue pregnancy, if they learn around 20 weeks, that they are carrying a toetus with Downs Syndrom or Spina Bifida.
Majority
The biggest majority of women arter 1/ weeks are aged 19 or under. Many teenagers who hide their pregnancies through misplaced feelings of shame of guilt will be forced to give birth to the baby. Like the case cited in the Select Report of the raped teenager, hid her pregnancy resulting from that crime.
older women lose their who mistook the OT pregnancy for to care for College Obstetricians supporters wanted fewer would be tackling the obstruction unThey more effective contracepDeLICI reterra. system, more research into methods CaLLY so collis and equal access NHS day-care al cas abortion facilities.
Restrictions Arbitrary restrictions on the 1967 Act will never remove the need for abortion. Two thirds of the 29 abortions performed after 24. weeks in this country last year were on grounds of severe foetal abnormality.
Alton will ensure that wol Wi call al ford it will get what they want. The back streets, the of unwanted children and the hardship of caring for the severely handicapped in Thatcher's uncaring society awaits the rest.
The Labour organisations at all levels should be at the forefront of the campaign to defeat Alton's Bill. We call on officers women's organisations to immediate V mobilise members in opposition to Alton's Bill.
Use every opportunity lobby your MPs at their surgery, at the House pell coni contact sympathetic workers;
local local radio;
day, January lobby, rally Hall, Ealing FAB plans