Agenda item - Abortion rights

Proposed by Councillor Ebel on behalf of the Green Group.

22.1    The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Ebel on behalf of the Green Group and formally seconded by Councillor Mac Cafferty.

22.2    Councillor Grimshaw moved an amendment on behalf of the Labour Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Appich.

22.3    Councillor Meadows spoke on the motion stating that it was not a matter for Brighton and Hove and the Council should be discussing local issues, not matters which were the responsibility of other authorities or countries and advised that the Conservative Group would be abstaining from the vote.

22.4    Councillor Knight spoke in favour of the motion. 

22.5    Councillor Ebel noted the comments and confirmed that she accepted the amendment.

22.6    The Mayor then put the following motion as amended to the vote:

In light of the recent US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade and the public perception that this could in turn erode abortion rights in the UK, this Council: 

1.   Reiterates its support for a woman’s right to choose free, safe & legal abortion at a local, national and international level 

2.   Expresses solidarity with women internationally and within the UK and its fundamental belief that women need to feel safe attending an abortion clinic. We deplore intimidating behaviour outside clinics. Where abortion is or has been made illegal, it still continues but unsafely

3.   Expresses support for the women of Northern Ireland where the government has failed to commission abortion services, despite legalisation to extend, forcing women to travel abroad for an abortion

4.   Expresses its support for women’s rights organisations campaigning for a woman’s right to choose, including the Alliance for Choice in Northern Ireland and Abortion Support Network which are supporting women with practical information, accommodation and the costs of travelling

5.   Expresses dismay that abortion continues to be criminalised in England, Wales and Scotland, unless certain criteria apply, and that women are increasingly being prosecuted for accessing abortion, including migrant women, many of whom are denied access to free abortions on the NHS

6.   Requests the Chief Executive write to the Government to ask them to enshrine the right to abortion in public law and remove abortion from the criminal statute book and regulate it as a health matter instead, ensuring free, safe and legal access across the UK

7.   Notes that since the closure of the BPAS clinic, local residents in need of abortions are finding it extremely difficult to access services causing delays and unnecessary trips to London

8.   Requests officers work with local healthcare partners to ensure local abortion services are running efficiently and providing a local service to those who need it

22.7    The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried.