Should The Uk Change The Abortion Laws In Northern Ireland ?

[Gromit]

With the collapse of the Power Sharing Executive at Stormont last year, the province is in effect being run by ministers in Whitehall. Should they use that as an opportunity to relax the abortion laws in NI which are one of the most strict in the world?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/27/theresa-may-oppose-vote-northern-ireland-abortion-law

[sandyRoe]

The DUP, who are propping up the Government, wouldn't like that.

[Islay]

Yes they are currently barbaric, but the U.K. government doesn’t have the gonads

[ichkeria]

Yes of course

[ichkeria]

Arlene says it’s a matter for the N Ireland assembly: which, conveniently for her and her unlikely allies in the Church of Rome, just happens to be crocked ...

[Mamyalynne]

I feel MPs should be allowed to vote and have their say on this, rather doubt it will happen,sadly.

[ToraToraTora]

this is not about abortion really is it gromit? Should westminster take advantage of the current situation to interfere? I say not for one isolated subject. Now if you think we should abolish devolution then I'm with you all the way.

[dannyk13]

The referendum was overwhelmingly in favour of a change in the law so I think we should leave it with the Irish to make the necessary change'

[hc4361]

The referendum was for a different country, danny - the Republic of Ireland, not the British Northern Ireland

[dannyk13]

Sorry, should pay more attention.

[Islay]

Why do people find it so hard to tell the difference between Ireland and Northern Ireland? Not just this thread but the other one too.

[dannyk13]

Lack of concentration Islay.

[Gromit]

The UK Government could ask the Northern Irish people in a referendum. Bypass the religious interference from both communities. If the people voted to change the law, the ministers in Whitehall would have a mandate.

[Islay]

Sorry Danny not a pop at you not a grunt at someone else who refuses to recognise the difference on another thread.

[ichkeria]

I think the issue is parked as long as the NI assembly is down.
There could be a referendum of course, although the only reason there was one in the republic was because me was needed to change the constitution. This actually undid the previous change by referendum in 1983.
If there was to be a bill in the commons the DUP couldn’t stop it, they could threaten to take their ball away, and no doubt would threaten that. But my guess it would be bluff. But you can be sure that it would be very bloody, with complaints that it’s a devolved responsibility, and I agree with Islay that Mrs May is probably not up for it. Brexit rules I fear.

[Islay]

Plus May is very religious so I would imagine she is not in favour of a change

[DTCwordfan]

stuff May and her religion....ask the Northern Ireland people - and at the same time, ask if they want to be part of a unified Ireland trade and custom-wise (not politically).

[Islay]

On the news today they went round asking people their thoughts, the young were in favour of increased rights but the older were not, thing is they were interviewing the oldies as they came out of church!

[Old_Geezer]

Surely no one finds it difficult to tell the difference between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The former is the whole island, the latter the part with the sense to remain in the UK.

[DTCwordfan]

I bet there weren't too many youngies coming out of church.........common sense and all that.