Does anyone know what Conservative policy is on reducing the maximum gestation at which a woman can have an abortion from 24 weeks? I would be interested to know.

I am not completely decided on this issue myself, and think I might be better placed to decide when I am not eight months pregnant and therefore full of hormones!

I believe however that the 'on demand' abortion that Britain is often criticised for only applies (in so much as it does) to early abortions (up to 12 weeks). After that, there is at least theoretically meant to be either a serious foetal abnormality or danger to the mother's health/life if the pregnancy continues for an abortion to be considered.

Given that at 24 weeks most women have felt the baby move and started to be visibly pregnant at least to their eyes, there would normally be a stronger emotional bond than at 12 weeks too, and I would think it would be a massive decision that wasn't taken lightly.

I wouldn't have thought there were many abortions at that late stage, but I can't find figures online.

The overall mood within the party is to reduce the timescale, yet so far it has been difficult to work this into policy alongside the moderisation agenda for obvious reasons.
Maybe we will now see the braver new party make a committment in this direction.

Good luck with the birth Kate - Scrubs x

Personally I would prefer to see better sex education (and by which I mean not just about sex, but also about the *responsibilities* of being a parent) introduced.

Abortion should not be used as a method of birth control, but neither should it be denied to a woman.

Far better reduce the likelihood of them having an unwanted pregnancy in the first place.

Yes, but what about parents Graham, perhaps mums and dads should promote the habit of all sitting round a table to eat instead of 'here's two pounds for the chippy' such things might then be discussed in the home.

Don't think abortion and birth control would be the first up topic around the dinner table, Scrubs. I may be wrong...

Here are some figures/information from Marie Stopes and the FPA (source - The Telegraph online today).



I think based on that I would support at least tightening the rules for later abortions. I don't think difficulties coming to a decision or change in personal circumstances should be 'allowed' as reasons myself, and I'm unsure about unknown pregnancies.

Graham - I think most late abortions are down to foetal abnormality rather than unwanted pregnancies. If you find out you are pregnant at the usual stage (6-8 weeks) it is, I think, quite easy to get an abortion.

I think they should be available certainly, But I don't think they should be easy to obtain. (Certainly not once the foetus is a viable entity)

But like Tizzy I feel that this should be a non political issue.