Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate, Ms Lockhart highlighted that more than 10 million abortions have taken place in the UK since the 1967 Abortion Act one every 2.5 minutes. She described the proposal as “extreme” and not reflective of public opinion.

Carla Lockhart MP said:

“Since the Abortion Act was passed, more than 10 million abortions have taken place in the UK. That’s one every 2.5 minutes.”

“Decriminalising abortion is not a minor legal tweak. It would allow abortion up to birth for any reason. That is not care, it is extremism. It would open the door to sex-selective abortions, unregulated DIY abortions with no medical oversight, and a return to dangerous backstreet practices.”

“We’ve already seen the damaging effects of the ‘pills by post’ scheme. In 2020 alone, over 10,000 women needed hospital treatment after taking abortion pills at home. And there are now cases of these pills being used without a woman’s knowledge or consent. This is what happens when you remove safeguards in the name of so-called progress.”

“The public are not on board with this. Only 1% support abortion up to birth. The vast majority want in-person consultations reinstated and limits maintained beyond 24 weeks. This push is being driven by ideology, not evidence or public will.”

“And on Northern Ireland, it is deeply cynical for those who imposed abortion there without consent to now use that extreme law to justify even more radical changes in GB. There is no pills by post scheme in Northern Ireland. To decriminalise in GB, while keeping that scheme would create a dangerous and reckless legal landscape.”

“We must end pills by post, restore proper medical oversight, and reject this attempt to decriminalise abortion. In every pregnancy, both lives matter — the mother and her unborn child. Every abortion is a tragedy and I will continue as long as I have breath to be a voice for the voiceless,, to stand up and speak up for the unborn. I want to see life affirming laws restored to the whole of this United Kingdom.”