Workers Solidarity Movement

More than one in four people in Northern Ireland support a woman’s right to choose on abortion, an Belfast Telegraph poll has revealed.  The findings come from a major survey commissioned by the Belfast Telegraph and carried out by LucidTalk, members of the British Polling Council (BPC). A weighted sample of 1,130 adults was surveyed between November 6 and 23; 90% were questioned by telephone and the rest interviewed face to face.

They were asked: “Free abortion is currently allowed in Northern Ireland where there is the likelihood of serious and long-term danger to a prospective mother’s mental or physical wellbeing if her pregnancy continues. Which, if any, of these statements do you agree with?”

The first of four options was: “Abortion should be available to any woman who chooses it after being counselled on alternatives.”

The results showed that 25.9% agreed with this proposition. The proportion agreeing was roughly the same across the two main religious groups (28.3% of Protestants and 27.8% of Catholics).

But support was markedly higher among all women surveyed (29.9%) than men (21.4%). It was higher among the young, 34.9% for 18-24-year-olds, and fell gradually through the age range until it reached a low of 20.4% for those over 65.

Currently, the law states terminations can be performed only under certain conditions: if the pregnancy involves a greater risk to the physical or mental health of the woman, or her existing children, than having a termination. All Executive parties except Alliance, which allows a free vote on the issue, have policies strongly against changing the laws.

Meanwhile in the Republic a similar poll has revealed that the majority of people are in favour on legislating on the X-case. The poll was conducted by Red C for The Sunday Business Post on a sample of over 1000 adults nationwide last week.

According to the paper, 85 per cent of those polled supported legislating for the X case by allowing abortion where the mother’s life is threatened, including by suicide. There was support among 63 per cent of those polled for a limiting the X case by excluding the threat of suicide as grounds. There was 82 per cent support for extending abortion to all cases where the mother’s health is seriously threatened and in cases of rape, the paper reports.

While these latest figures are a positive indication in the strength of the pro-choice movement and the growing divide between our political class and the rest of us, the WSM believes that nothing less than free safe abortion on demand is satisfactory. Women must decide their fate not the Church or state!