By Patrick Leahy, Director of Student LifeNet
This article should be read in conjunction with 'We're winning!'
Another fact is evident from recent developments: the pro-choice movement is dying. Despite having a strongly pro-abortion majority government in power for seven years, they have not achieved a single significant victory. They must feel absolutely gutted.
All the evidence would suggest that they ought to be the side marching forwards. Not only is the government pro-abortion, but the dominating BBC is continually showing enthusiasm for abortion rights. Key abortion advocates have held important positions of power too – such as Mo Mowlam and Clare Short. Yet, the pro-choice movement has failed to progress and is now desperately on the defence.
Some explanations for this are obvious. Progress in ultrasound scanning means we can now see the true humanity of the unborn child. Only the cold-hearted can fail to be influenced by Professor Campbell’s amazing discoveries. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for the pro-choicers to defend post-first trimester abortions in the face of such imagery.
But this fails to explain why the pro-choice movement failed to gain ground in previous years when the climate was even more favourable to them.
I believe it’s because they are dying as a lobby group. Take the university level for instance – we face no organised opposition besides the occasional extremist antics of the NUS. Similarly, at a national level, the only opposition emanates from the small number of usual suspects – namely, Ellie Lee and Ann Furedi. The primary pro-choice campaigning organisation, ‘Abortion Rights’, is unheard of by the general public and it is causing our side no trouble.
Moreover, no new people appear to be coming through their ranks. For years it has always been the same individuals. There are no pro-choice student organisations – further reducing the likelihood of new troops arriving on the scene.
The pro-choice movement is moribund. Now is our chance to go on the offensive whilst the opposition is weak. In fourteen years time they could be stronger.
