Revealed: govt to restrict abortion counselling despite Nadine Dorries vote

[muriel_volestrangler]

A source who was close to Dorries’ campaign said the Conservative MP had already agreed a “stitch-up” with the health minister Anne Milton on the issue even before the vote was lost 368 – 118.

The issue came back on the agenda this week when the Sunday Telegraph revealed that the government was planning to “radically reform” abortion counselling services.

Anne Milton, the health minister, has been working with DoH civil servants behind the scenes on plans to dramatically alter the system.

The article prompted Shadow Health minister Diane Abbott to resign yesterday from the government’s secretive cross-party committee on abortion counselling.

http://liberalconspiracy.org/2012/01/27/revealed-govt-plans-changes-to-restrict-abortion-counselling-despite-vote/

In her letter to Anne Milton, Public Health Minister responsible for abortion, Abbott said:

"I entered into the meetings in good faith. I was genuinely interested in improving the quality of counselling available to women. But I now believe the 'consultation' will be a front for driving through the anti-choice lobbyists' preferred option without legislation or a debate on the Floor of the House."

She continued: "There is no doubt which option the government wants to drive through. There will be no legislation or debate in Parliament. These changes are unwanted, undemocratic and unsubstantiated with evidence. I think women and families across the country will be as horrified as I am by the way the government is trying to turn the clocks back."
...
http://www.abortionrights.org.uk/content/view/450/1/