Do You Agree With Rees-Mogg That Abortion Even After A Woman Has Been Raped Is Morally Indefensible?

[sp1814]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-abortion-oppose-pro-life-catholic-conservative-mp-tory-woman-raped-leader-a7931651.html

I can understand why he believes this as he was brought up as a strict Catholic ("life is life"), but I can't agree with him - even the morning after pill would be a no no to him.

How do you feel?

[jackthehat]

///
//. Abortion is 100% a female issue and for females to decide on//
Can't agree with you there ///

I don't think the views of a (rapist) father should be given much consideration. Do you?

[anotheoldgit]

Just because a person has a particular view on abortion, does not mean that he would not make a good Prime Minister, however some would wish to turn it into a political issue.

Now if he had a particular negative attitude say towards Jews, then that would be entirely different.

[andy-hughes]

I believe that the only person who should make a decision on an abortion is the woman who is or is not going to undertake it.

Anything else is personal morality, which cannot be placed on another person.

I respect Mr Rees-Mogg's right to hold his views, but I cannot agree with him.

My moral code is based on what I am able to live with comfortably - I would feel very unhappy having that code chosen for me by complete strangers - especially if those strangers occupied such a deeply immoral organisation as the Catholic church.

[ladybirder]

I don't think he's ridiculous or clueless, in fact the opposite. I don't agree with him but I do agree with jno and give him credit for being bold enough to state views that he knew would get the reaction we see here today and no doubt elsewhere.

[Khandro]

He's entitled to his opinion as is everyone but, considering his position, he would be better keeping it to himself, however, politicians get forced into corners by scurrilous reporters looking for a story. Abortion is not illegal in the UK , I believe each case requires scrutiny, I'm opposed to it being used as a form of contraception.

[jim360]

"Just because a person has a particular view on abortion, does not mean that he would not make a good Prime Minister, however some would wish to turn it into a political issue."

No need to turn it into a political issue, it already is one.

To be fair, JRM has referred to the 1967 Abortion Act as "the Law of the Land", so perhaps he has no intentions of overturning it or trying to, but this particular opinion is symptomatic of a broader issue -- that he's a devout Catholic, and I don't particularly fancy having a devout Catholic as PM.

[Kromovaracun]

//Just because a person has a particular view on abortion, does not mean that he would not make a good Prime Minister//

It sort of does, because it's an issue he would be in charge of enforcing the law on.

[Khandro]

Kromo. //it's an issue he would be in charge of enforcing the law on.//

Not really, even if he became PM he would be just one (rather lonely) voice.

[Kromovaracun]

//politicians get forced into corners by scurrilous reporters looking for a story//

That is the point of a journalist. For once I'm grateful to the media, it is worth us knowing that a potential Tory leader thinks this.

Also, I think most sensible people are opposed to abortion being used as a form of birth control - but he specifically said he would not allow it even in instances of rape or incest.

[andy-hughes]

I wonder if the Minister for 1847 is keen to espouse his views to once and for all ensure that no-one thinks he has leadership ambitions?

[Kromovaracun]

PM is de facto head of the executive - they appoint secretary of health and the rest of the cabinet, who manage the enactment of UK law and policy. Obviously there are more factors at play than a given PM's personal views (such as managing loyalty, balancing party factions etc) but it's hardly insignificant.

[Mamyalynne]

He did not say he would not allow it, he said he is against it and the law of the land takes precedence.

[jno]

Kromovaracun, I think most of us hold "someone else's views". Devastating freethinker though I am, I don't think I have a single opinion that hasn't been held by someone before me, probably more deeply than me, and stated strongly enough to persuade me.

[sp1814]

I think Rees-Moog should be applauded for being honest, rather than trying to skirt the issue so as not to damage his leadership chances. I just don't think that his views will enamour him to the general public.

It's pretty extreme.

[Kromovaracun]

There's a significant difference between arriving at an opinion through assessing claims and information presented by other people, and just repeating the exact slogan that your church uses on a given issue out of blind loyalty to your religion.

[Prudie]

I'm disappointed he said it but still think he'd make a great PM. . After all he can't legislate on his own. Personal views often have to be put aside for the good of the party but MPs can still have them.

[jim360]

"Also, I think most sensible people are opposed to abortion being used as a form of birth control - but he specifically said he would not allow it even in instances of rape or incest."

The current law allows abortion in the case of "grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman". One could argue, quite legitimately, that being obliged to become a mother for the rest of her, or the child's life, against her will, or being obliged to carry a child to term and give it up for adoption, would both constitute such a grave injury to mental health.

I agree that falling pregnant without having taken sufficient precautions is irresponsible, but I don't agree that, having done so, abortion should be proscribed. Mother, child (and father) shouldn't have to pay over a lifetime for the mistakes of one night.

Also I agree that, at the end of the day, it's up to the woman (from which, anyway, it follows that abortion in the case of an unplanned pregnancy ought to be a woman's right, if she so chooses). In a loving consensual couple I'd hope that the woman might wish to involve the father in the decision but it would still be her choice.

[Kromovaracun]

Also - the religious aspect of this actually makes him far more likely to attempt to change the law of the land if given the power to propose government legislation (or, failing that, to otherwise frustrate the law of the land with the other means a PM has at their disposal). If he really does believe that conception begins at life, he would have a cosmic moral imperative to put a stop to abortion (and gay marriage) insofar as he could.

[anotheoldgit]

/// especially if those strangers occupied such a deeply immoral organisation as the Catholic
church. ///

Immoral????????? that is a little harsh, what would the present Mrs Hughes say, her being a devout catholic and all that?

[Kromovaracun]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_cases