The End of Criminalised Abortion? UK Set for Historic Vote on Women's Reproductive Rights

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Zuzana Moscakova, Chief Reporter

For the first time in over 150 years, Parliament is poised to remove abortion from the criminal code in England and Wales, a landmark decision that could finally treat abortion as healthcare, not a crime.


If passed, it would be the biggest update to the law since the Abortion Act of 1967. Although abortion is currently legal up to 24 weeks with medical approval, it is still covered by criminal laws from the nineteenth century. The 1861 Offences Against the Person Act makes it a crime to end a pregnancy outside of the rules, even in cases where women are acting alone or in desperate situations.

In recent years, more women have faced police investigations and even criminal charges after experiencing miscarriages or taking abortion pills later than the legal limit. Many believe this is unfair and dangerous, especially for vulnerable women.

Now, Members of Parliament are being asked to support two different proposals that would change the law.

The first and most widely supported proposal is called New Clause One, brought forward by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi. Her plan would remove the risk of criminal charges for women who end their own pregnancies. It would not change the current abortion rules, such as the 24 week limit or the requirement for two doctors to approve the procedure. The change would simply stop women from being treated as criminals for making difficult decisions.

This plan has the backing of more than 170 MPs from different political parties. It is also supported by major medical groups like the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, as well as abortion providers like BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices.

The second proposal, from Labour MP Stella Creasy, is called New Clause Twenty. This one goes further. It would remove abortion from criminal law entirely, not just for women but also for doctors and others involved. It would also make access to abortion a legal right in the UK.

Supporters of this proposal say it is necessary to protect abortion rights in the future. However, critics say it is too broad and could weaken existing medical safeguards, such as those that prevent very late term abortions. Some doctors and campaigners have also said it has not been properly debated or consulted.

Even within the Labour Party, there are concerns that New Clause Twenty is too extreme. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned that it could lead to unsafe outcomes if doctors are no longer required to follow strict procedures.

The vote is expected to take place on Tuesday evening. New Clause One is more likely to pass, as it has strong support and is seen as a safer and more balanced option. If it does pass, it will be a historic moment. Women in England and Wales will no longer risk arrest or prosecution for ending a pregnancy. It would mark a major step forward in treating abortion as a healthcare issue, not a criminal one.

Whatever the outcome, this vote could shape the future of reproductive rights in the UK for years to come.

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