SNP Conference to hear proposal for ‘constitutional right to abortion’

The SNP Conference is to hear a radical proposal to enshrine a ‘right to abortion’ in any future constitution of an independent Scotland. 

The motion, put forward by the party’s Elgin Branch, claims “legal abortion is a fundamental aspect of healthcare and bodily autonomy”, adding that, “the right to choose [an abortion]….should be a guaranteed and protected right within the highest legal framework of our nation.”

The motion laments the overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States and praises France for taking a “proactive step” by enshrining the right to abortion in its constitution in 2023. 

If successful the motion could become SNP party policy and pave the way for abortion up to birth for any reason. 

Whilst abortion is wrong because it deliberately ends the life of an innocent human being, it is also often related to poverty. Women in the most deprived parts of Scotland have twice as many abortions as women in the least deprived areas. This significant difference suggests that women are having abortions for reasons linked to poverty and that more needs to be done to understand why that is happening and support provided to help women experiencing crisis pregnancies. 

Research by pro-abortion organisation the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) also found that of all women who had an abortion during the Covid pandemic and who already had two or more children, 57% said that the UK Government’s controversial two-child policy (which limits universal credit or tax credit to the first two children) was an important factor in their decision to have an abortion. Here too, financial considerations play a key part in a woman’s decision to have an abortion.

Rather than attempt to push through a radical proposal like a constitutional right to abortion, it would be much better if efforts were instead focused on trying to understand why women are having abortions in the first place and explore ways in which government and third sector organisations can provide care and support to people in need. 

The SNP Conference will take place in Edinburgh between 30th August and 1st September.