About Time For Change
The Human Tissue and Embryos Bill, expected to be introduced into Parliament after the Queen's Speech this November, will open up the entire 1967 Abortion Act to amendment. Pro-choice MPs have pledged to liberalize the law and intend to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act this autumn with a push to bring in 'abortion on request' in the first three months of pregnancy.
This agenda is being supported by Abortion Rights, a national coalition which plans to liberalize the current UK abortion law to bring in abortion on demand, nurse abortion and to make abortion available in doctors' surgeries and at home. Abortion Rights work closely with the parliamentary All Party Pro-choice and Sexual Health group and the Voice for Choice coalition of the major abortion providers.
It also has the support of many women's organizations, student groups including NUS and civil society organizations as well as the TUC and national trade unions including AMICUS, ASLEF, T&G, TSSA, UCU and UNISON. It has already gained some support from the British Medical Association (BMA), whose Medical Ethics Committee is already committed to its agenda.
This movement is extremely well-organized and well-funded. Continuing efforts are being made to shape public opinion in favour of a change in the law and even if this autumn's initiative fails there will be continuing pressure to change the law during the lifetime of the present Parliament.
The first stage of the battle is a government consultation being carried out by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee into scientific developments relating to the Abortion Act 1967. The closing date for written submissions was Monday, 3rd September 2007 and oral evidence sessions will commence in October.
Time for Change brings together churches and professional and pro-life organisations with the aims of:
- Promoting better care and support for women with unplanned pregnancies
- Ensuring that existing laws against abortion are not weakened or repealed during the lifetime of the current Parliament
- Seeking legislative and societal change to reduce abortion (eg. By reduction of the upper limit, stopping abortion to birth for handicap, fully informed consent, better support for women)
- Influencing the balance of public opinion against abortion and towards providing compassionate alternatives to abortion
Time for Change will:
- Maintain this website - www.timeforchange.org.uk - updating you on news and events and providing links to well founded research on the effects of legalized abortion
- Coordinate a series of events around the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act on 27 October 2007 including a rally, march and ecumenical service
- Promote the work of supporting organisations in seeking to limit unplanned pregnancy and abortion and provide compassionate alternatives to women with unplanned pregnancy