UK Vote Checks
How do different political parties, leadership candidates, politicians, and prospective Cambridge MPs vote on issues relating to reproductive rights?
General Election 2024
Simplified Overview
Detailed Overview
Local Candidates
On maintaining the
provision of at-home early medial abortion
Context
Temporary measures introduced during the pandemic in England, Scotland, and Wales allowed both pills for early medical abortion to be taken at home following a virtual or phone appointment with a doctor. In February 2022, the Government decided to end this provision. In March 2022, Baroness Sugg (Conservative) tabled an amendment to the Health and Care Bill to amend the Abortion Act 1967 and 'maintain the existing provision of at-home early medical abortion following a telephone or video consultation with a clinician'.
What's the data on at-home early medical abortions?
In one study, researchers analysed more than 50,000 early medical abortions taking place in Britain between January-June 2020. They found that the introduction of the telemedicine service reduced waiting times by an average of four days, and more abortions were provided at less than six weeks' gestation. Having an in-person appointment and ultrasound versus a telemedical appointment and no ultrasound were equally safe - treatment success, serious adverse events and the number of ectopic pregnancies did not differ between the two models. Under both models, pregnancies in over 98% of cases were ended without requiring furhter mdical intervention; less than 0.05% experienced a 'serious adverse event'.
Also in March 2022, new World Health Organization guidance made recommendations on introducing telemedicine for early medical abortion.
The vote
The vote was a free (unwhipped) vote; MPs were not told to vote by their party, but could vote according to their conscience. The vote passed by 215 Ayes (in favour) to 188 Notes (opposing). To see the breakdown in voting, and look up how your MP voted, click here. In Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner (Labour, Cambridge) voted AYE and Anthony Browne (Conservative, South Cambs) voted NO.
Conservative Leadership Race - How did the Candidates Vote?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned in July 2022, triggering an election for the new Conservative Party leader. We looked at how each candidate voted on measures relating to abortion, and created a matrix to inform the vote of pro-choice Conservative Party members. There was a significant difference in the stance of each of the candidates. Penny Mordaunt had easily cast the most votes in favour of pro-choice legislation; Rishi Sunak and Michael Gove abstained on almost every piece of legislation; while Jeremy Hunt and Nadine Dorries actively voted against any legislation designed to improve access to reproductive healthcare.