|
Lords slam buffer zones amendment in debate
|
|
Dear
SPUC supporter,
Multiple members of the House of Lords spoke out strongly against the buffer zones clause inserted into the Public Order Bill when it was debated at Second Reading yesterday.
Labour peer Lord McAvoy summed up the issue brilliantly when he said: “It is absolutely the case that women experiencing crisis pregnancies can often be under a great deal of pressure and are therefore deserving of our support. However, the pressure can also cause many women to feel that they have only one option: to terminate the pregnancy. Volunteers outside abortion clinics recognise this fact and are simply trying to help women to find out what help is available. People like that should not be sentenced to prison for six months—that is what this clause does, according to my reading of it. Are those in support of this clause really in favour of criminalising people who seek to help women with housing, protection from domestic abuse, the provision of clothing or a variety of other financial and legal support?”
The debate last night showed the many problems with the buffer zones clause. Peers from across the House, and with different views on abortion, spelt out how it threatens free speech, harms vulnerable women, and criminalises people for the simple act of offering a leaflet. You can read a full account of the debate by clicking the link below.
|
|
|
We must keep up the pressure on the House of Lords to throw out this amendment. Buffer zones will be debated again at Committee stage, which will likely take place on Wednesday 16 November. If you have already been corresponding with Peers, please reply to them asking them to vote against Clause 9, and if necessary, the whole Bill at Committee stage. You can also use our Write to Lords tool to contact more Lords. Link to this below.
|
|
Thank you for campaigning with us against buffer zones.
Best wishes
|
|
Alithea Williams
Public Policy Manager
|
|
|
|
