British Conservative Party Leader Wants Vote to Limit Late-Term Abortions 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 25, 2008
London, England (LifeNews.com) — The leader of the Conservative Party in England has called for a vote on limiting late-term abortions through an amendment to the controversial bill Parliament is considering. MPs have called for reigning in a law that essentially allows unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy when the baby is disabled with as little as a cleft palate or club foot.
Parliament will soon be debating the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill, which allows human cloning practices pro-life groups object to, and amendments to it.
Tory leader David Cameron says he favors a vote to limit those late-term abortions given the advances in medical technology allowing a better look at the humanity of the unborn child at viability.
It would represent the first time MPs have voted on abortion since 1990.
"I would like to see a reduction in the current limit, as it is clear that, due to medical advancement, many babies are surviving at 24 weeks," he said, according to British media.
"If there is an opportunity … I will be voting to bring this limit down from 24 weeks. This must, however, remain a conscience issue and a free vote," he added.
Members of the Labour and Conservative parties have fought for conscience votes on the bill and amendments since they deal with controversial abortion and bioethics issues.
Cameron said he would support moving the limit to 20 weeks for such instances.
However, his top rival, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, continues to support the current pro-abortion law.
"He has always made clear that he thinks we should be guided by the best medical advice on this," spokesman Michael Ellam said, according to AP. "At the moment, the key organizations in the medical profession are not pressing for a review in this area."
A vote on the bill and potential amendments would occur in the next few weeks.
