I need to be clear about where I stand – I support a woman’s right to access abortion care in the UK. Abortion is healthcare, and I believe, deeply and personally, that decisions about a woman’s body should belong to her – not the government, the courts, or anyone else. In England, during the first 24 weeks, abortion is legal with the approval of two doctors. The doctors must agree having the baby would pose a greater risk to the physical or mental health of the woman than a termination.
As a man, I do not think I should be making a decision on a woman’s body – I believe that autonomy over reproductive choices belongs entirely to the person directly affected. My role is to listen, to stand in solidarity, and to support the right of every woman to make informed decisions about her own body without fear of judgement or criminalisation. But as an MP, I do have to make decisions that affect people’s lives and on this issue, I believe decriminalising abortion is the right and compassionate choice.
As a Christian, I know this is not a straightforward issue for many people of faith. I have had many difficult and honest conversations with others in my community who feel conflicted or hold different views. For me, my faith compels me to approach this issue with compassion, empathy, and a strong sense of justice. I believe that supporting a woman’s right to choose is about respecting her dignity, her autonomy, and her moral agency. Criminalising women for making deeply personal decisions – often in the most complex and painful circumstances – is not, in my view, a reflection of grace or care.
The current legal situation is deeply troubling. In just the past five years, over 100 women have been investigated, and six have ended up in court under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 – a law written in the Victorian era that still shapes how reproductive healthcare is treated today. That’s simply unacceptable. We should not be using an outdated law to police women’s healthcare decisions in the 21st century.
That’s why I’ve added my name in support of Tonia Antoniazzi’s amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill (NC1), which would fully decriminalise abortion across the UK.
This is about treating women with compassion instead of criminalising them. Right now, vulnerable women – including survivors of domestic abuse and those facing complex medical situations – are being dragged through lengthy investigations and court proceedings. Some have even been taken from hospital beds to police cells. No one should have to go through that.
Decriminalising abortion doesn’t mean I endorse every individual case – but it does mean shifting our approach from punishment to support. It means recognising that women deserve care, not fear and shame.
This amendment would bring England and Wales in line with the approach already taken in Northern Ireland, and with countries like France, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It’s backed by the World Health Organisation, international human rights law, and more than 50 organisations including medical bodies and women’s rights groups.
To be clear, NC1 wouldn’t change how abortion services are delivered or alter the legal time limits – it simply removes the threat of criminal prosecution for women managing their own pregnancies. It would still be a criminal offence for healthcare professionals who break the law or for abusive partners who harm pregnant women.
I will always stand up for a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body.
