A MP for the Scottish National Party fears her opposition to lifting Northern Ireland’s abortion ban is the reason why she is the only party member who has not been approved to stand again, should there be a snap general election.
Lisa Cameron MP’s political future is in doubt as SNP members were emailed by party chairman, Angus MacLeod, on whether they want sitting MPs to fight a probable November poll or whether an internal selection should take place.
The party has since reselected 34 out of 35 MPs, but Lisa Cameron has not been placed on the SNP’s list of approved candidates.
In July, the former doctor voted against an amendment which would force abortion on Northern Ireland. While the matter was a free vote, for individuals to decide how to vote in line with their own conscience, the First Minister for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, made clear that she supported abortion.
MPs voted in favour of the abortion amendment 332-99 which was attached to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill, ignoring the fact that abortion remains a devolved issue in Northern Ireland.
Dr Cameron has cited that her tragic experience of undergoing two very late-term miscarriages helped form her pro-life views.
She also revealed her office received more than 900 messages, including “abuse” and “cyberbullying” after she voted against the amendment.
She said: “It was a free vote, a conscience vote. I didn’t rebel or vote against the party whip. And yet now it’s virtually certain that abusive party activists will make sure I’m deselected and lose the job I love.”
“The attacks on me have been nothing less than vitriolic. One individual threatened to come over and ‘abort me’.”
Dr Cameron confirms she intends to stand. An SNP spokesperson said that the party’s selection processes were ongoing.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said:
“It is disgraceful that this MP should face deselection and receive such abuse for voting to protect unborn babies and in favour of not imposing abortion, which is a devolved matter, on Northern Ireland.”
“If she is deselected from the SNP, it would show the intolerance of pro-life views and those who respect and wish to defend the right to life of all human beings, born or unborn, within the party.”
