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| The Tories are bartering with women’s bodies to keep power. It’s disgusting | The Tories are bartering with women’s bodies to keep power. It’s disgusting |
| (7 months later) | |
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| Mon 12 Jun 2017 13.21 BST | |
| Last modified on Wed 20 Sep 2017 19.04 BST | |
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| Theresa May, who once posed in a “This is what a feminist looks like” T-shirt, is so desperate to stay in power that she and her party will cobble together a deal with those who would deny women basic reproductive rights. | Theresa May, who once posed in a “This is what a feminist looks like” T-shirt, is so desperate to stay in power that she and her party will cobble together a deal with those who would deny women basic reproductive rights. |
| The sudden focus on the DUP, its history and its policies has been, as Gerry Adams has said, an education for many British people. Ireland is routinely ignored in political discourse. The information that Brexit would involve the restoration of a hard border in Ireland was news to many. Likewise, the sudden outrage over the DUP’s anti-abortion stance may be somewhat irritating to the many groups in Northern Ireland who have long campaigned over this. But I am glad at least that this is now being spoken about. | The sudden focus on the DUP, its history and its policies has been, as Gerry Adams has said, an education for many British people. Ireland is routinely ignored in political discourse. The information that Brexit would involve the restoration of a hard border in Ireland was news to many. Likewise, the sudden outrage over the DUP’s anti-abortion stance may be somewhat irritating to the many groups in Northern Ireland who have long campaigned over this. But I am glad at least that this is now being spoken about. |
| Bartering over the bodies of women to maintain power is disgusting. The Tories’ “sell” of the DUP as just a bit socially conservative – nothing much to worry about – is a lie. Mostly the DUP will want money in return for making a deal with the Tories. Business as usual. But although it’s unlikely, they can also potentially push, if not to overturn our abortion legislation, then for a discussion on time limits for termination. | Bartering over the bodies of women to maintain power is disgusting. The Tories’ “sell” of the DUP as just a bit socially conservative – nothing much to worry about – is a lie. Mostly the DUP will want money in return for making a deal with the Tories. Business as usual. But although it’s unlikely, they can also potentially push, if not to overturn our abortion legislation, then for a discussion on time limits for termination. |
| The Abortion Act 1967 has never applied to Northern Ireland. This “anomaly” remains. Since devolution was restored to Stormont, any attempt to relax the ban on termination in local hospitals has been resisted. | The Abortion Act 1967 has never applied to Northern Ireland. This “anomaly” remains. Since devolution was restored to Stormont, any attempt to relax the ban on termination in local hospitals has been resisted. |
| The law covering abortion in Northern Ireland is from 1861 (Offences Against the Person Act) and the 1945 Criminal Justice Act. This makes abortion a legal offence that carries a life sentence. Last year in Belfast a mother was put on trial for procuring drugs to terminate her daughter’s pregnancy, although she contested the prosecution. The UN has expressed concern about criminal sanctions for abortion. Amnesty has campaigned brilliantly about it, and the individual stories of how this law plays out are heart-rending. | The law covering abortion in Northern Ireland is from 1861 (Offences Against the Person Act) and the 1945 Criminal Justice Act. This makes abortion a legal offence that carries a life sentence. Last year in Belfast a mother was put on trial for procuring drugs to terminate her daughter’s pregnancy, although she contested the prosecution. The UN has expressed concern about criminal sanctions for abortion. Amnesty has campaigned brilliantly about it, and the individual stories of how this law plays out are heart-rending. |
| Should we merely accept the DUP’s mix of creationism, misogyny and homophobia as a quirk of coalition? No | Should we merely accept the DUP’s mix of creationism, misogyny and homophobia as a quirk of coalition? No |
| Ashleigh Topley was four and a half months pregnant in 2013 when a scan showed her baby could not survive outside the womb, and the baby’s limbs were not developing properly. In the rest of the UK, this “foetal abnormality” would be grounds for a termination, but she was told nothing could be done. For another 15 weeks she had to endure her friends and neighbours in Portadown asking about whether she wanted a boy or a girl. At 35 weeks she went into labour, and the baby’s heart stopped. She describes this experience as 15 weeks of torture. | Ashleigh Topley was four and a half months pregnant in 2013 when a scan showed her baby could not survive outside the womb, and the baby’s limbs were not developing properly. In the rest of the UK, this “foetal abnormality” would be grounds for a termination, but she was told nothing could be done. For another 15 weeks she had to endure her friends and neighbours in Portadown asking about whether she wanted a boy or a girl. At 35 weeks she went into labour, and the baby’s heart stopped. She describes this experience as 15 weeks of torture. |
| Women in Northern Ireland do obtain abortions, despite this. While buying abortion pills online is illegal, between 1,000 and 2,000 women cross the Irish sea for terminations every year. The problem is outsourced. Money is an issue and many groups try to help with costs that are significantly increased by having to travel. | Women in Northern Ireland do obtain abortions, despite this. While buying abortion pills online is illegal, between 1,000 and 2,000 women cross the Irish sea for terminations every year. The problem is outsourced. Money is an issue and many groups try to help with costs that are significantly increased by having to travel. |
| The DUP may be absolutely hardline but it is important to remember that these politicians do not represent the people of Northern Ireland. In 2014, an Amnesty International survey suggested two thirds of the population think women should have the right to choose in extreme circumstances: rape, incest and foetal abnormality. | The DUP may be absolutely hardline but it is important to remember that these politicians do not represent the people of Northern Ireland. In 2014, an Amnesty International survey suggested two thirds of the population think women should have the right to choose in extreme circumstances: rape, incest and foetal abnormality. |
| It is also important to remember that Labour’s sister party in Northern Ireland, the SDLP, takes the same hardline stance on abortion, and I would hope to see Jeremy Corbyn address this. With progress being made in the Republic of Ireland, with the growing Repeal the 8th movement, attitudes are changing – although a young woman was still recently sectioned for asking for an abortion. | It is also important to remember that Labour’s sister party in Northern Ireland, the SDLP, takes the same hardline stance on abortion, and I would hope to see Jeremy Corbyn address this. With progress being made in the Republic of Ireland, with the growing Repeal the 8th movement, attitudes are changing – although a young woman was still recently sectioned for asking for an abortion. |
| The Tories will maintain that abortion is not really a significant issue in the deal with the DUP. The deal is all that matters. Women’s rights and LGBT rights are once again sidelined. | The Tories will maintain that abortion is not really a significant issue in the deal with the DUP. The deal is all that matters. Women’s rights and LGBT rights are once again sidelined. |
| But all of us watching know that reproductive rights are not a side issue. We watch Donald Trump and his cronies legislate over the bodies of women and we know that we have to be vigilant over what we assume to be basic rights. No, this is not The Handmaid’s Tale, we are told, in a “calm down, dear” sort of way, and we should merely accept the DUP’s mix of creationism, misogyny and homophobia as a quirk of coalition. No. | But all of us watching know that reproductive rights are not a side issue. We watch Donald Trump and his cronies legislate over the bodies of women and we know that we have to be vigilant over what we assume to be basic rights. No, this is not The Handmaid’s Tale, we are told, in a “calm down, dear” sort of way, and we should merely accept the DUP’s mix of creationism, misogyny and homophobia as a quirk of coalition. No. |
| Any government beholden to the DUP represents another step backwards for women. Make no mistake. Belatedly, perhaps, many have woken up to the struggles of women in Northern Ireland. | Any government beholden to the DUP represents another step backwards for women. Make no mistake. Belatedly, perhaps, many have woken up to the struggles of women in Northern Ireland. |
| Now that they have, Theresa May should take off that T-shirt . This is not what a feminist looks like. This is what a woman who would sell out other women looks like. It is the face of betrayal. | Now that they have, Theresa May should take off that T-shirt . This is not what a feminist looks like. This is what a woman who would sell out other women looks like. It is the face of betrayal. |
| Abortion | |
| First thoughts | |
| Democratic Unionist party (DUP) | |
| Northern Ireland | |
| Health | |
| Women | |
| General election 2017 | |
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