SDLP reaffirms anti-abortion stance but moves to allow elected representatives conscience vote

19 May, 2018

The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) held a special conference today to allow its membership to vote on a two questions around abortion. The first vote was to reaffirm its position as an anti-abortion party, and this was upheld. However the second vote was to give elected representatives the right, for the first time, to ignore party policy and vote with their conscience on all abortion matters, and this passed.

Although Northern Ireland Humanists and Humanists UK are disappointed with the party still keeping an anti-abortion policy, and do not believe that the new position goes far enough, they do believe this is a step in the right direction.

Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator said, ‘We have been working hard to inform all SDLP elected representatives with facts about women’s rights to reproductive justice. Although we are disappointed that the SDLP has not been bold enough to move to a pro-choice party, we are glad it has taken some steps in the right direction.’

Next week the Republic of Ireland will hold a referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment from its constitution. The repeal of the Eighth Amendment would remove one of the harshest abortion restrictions in the world, where women can face up to 14 years in prison for seeking an abortion in almost any circumstance.

Northern Ireland Humanists and Humanists UK are urging all Irish citizens to come home to vote.

Notes

For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson on richy@humanists.uk or 07534 248596, or Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator on boyd.sleator@nihumanists.org or on 07470 395090.

Read more about Humanists UK’s campaigns work on abortion: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/sexual-and-reproductive-rights/

At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.

Humanists UK recently changed its name from the British Humanist Association: https://humanists.uk/2017/05/22/bha-becomes-humanists-uk/

Northern Ireland Humanists is a part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland.