Ask your MP to oppose giving the NI Secretary new powers to impose abortion on NI

This week, MPs will be asked to approve regulations that give the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, sweeping new powers to impose expanded abortion access on Northern Ireland, potentially including ‘DIY’ home abortions.

Now, the Government is seeking additional powers to give the Northern Ireland Secretary the ability to sidestep the Executive (the devolved government of Northern Ireland) in pursuit of imposing one of the most extreme abortion regimes in the world.

This includes de facto abortion on demand, for any reason, up to 24 weeks, abortion up to birth for babies with disabilities – including Down’s syndrome, cleft lip and club foot – and the legalisation of sex-selective abortion.

The previous regulations in 2021 did not include provisions for ‘DIY’ home abortions. Now the Northern Ireland Secretary has said he is “minded to take action” to bring in ‘DIY’ home abortions in Northern Ireland. 

The regulations require abortion services to be provided “as soon as reasonably practicable” and force the Department of Health to fund abortion services, regardless of the position of elected representatives in Stormont. If passed, the regulations give the Northern Ireland Secretary powers that are equivalent to a Minister in Northern Ireland, without any scrutiny or accountability, ignoring the devolution settlement by pushing through laws without the proper consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly. 

Please ask your local MP to vote against these regulations that impose an extreme expansion of abortion law on Northern Ireland. 

Please enter your postcode in the box above to write to your MP now asking them to oppose this change in the law.