I am really puzzled why Cabinet Ministers such as Ruth Kelly, Paul Murphy and (alternatively reported as) Andy Burnham or Des Browne are allowed to selectively exercise their so-called "consciences" in matters such as these, when they had a total departure of conscience when it came to bombing people in Iraq.
I love that sort of conscience where you are happy to see people die or live their lives in pain and suffering rather than create a set of non-viable cells that won't ever become a human being.
I love the sort of conscience that wishes to ban single and lesbian women from having IVF because you oppose IVF, full stop anyway. Every sperm is sacred. Nice for those who can bang a sprog every year for four years.
I find it staggering that on one side of the debate yo get a wide range of research charities, the British Medical Association and other bodies staffed full of people who have dedicated their lives to improving the human condiiton. On the other side of the debate are a bunch of religious nutters whose lives have been dedicated to spreading fear and are full of hatred. And those MPs choose to side with the haters.
I'm almost tempted to up stcks and campaign against Kelly in the next General (I will have connections in her redrawn constituency), only the Tory is even more evil.
Fortunately, with a progressive majority in the House of Commons, the embryo and IVF clauses of common sense got through. I can't hang around waiting for the results of the abortion vote. But come on, does anyone with a brain actually think that a late abortion is desirable? Surely, if it were possible, all women wanting an abortion would want an early one. Most late abortions are for the very old, the very young or for unviable/barely viable foetuses, and far too many people who are way out of touch are playing a game of ramdon numbers.
