In a staggering move on 17th June 2025, MPs approved a radical shift in abortion law that threatens the very foundation of legal protection for unborn babies in England and Wales. We must act now.
Within less than two hours of debate, the House of Commons voted 379 to 137 in favour of a perilous amendment to the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill. Tabled by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Clause 191 seeks to remove women from the criminal law related to abortion under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929.
This would mean that, legally, “no offence is committed by a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy” at any gestation.
A Barbaric Shift in Legislation
If Clause 191 becomes law, it would effectively allow for the decriminalisation of abortion up to birth for any reason, if it is induced by the mother herself.
The primary purpose of the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 is to protect a child during the very process of being born. By creating a legal vacuum, this amendment means that a mother who kills her baby during delivery or induces a late-term abortion at home using abortion pills would no longer be committing a crime. This is an invitation to a "lawless" approach to human life, potentially opening the door to sex-selective abortion.
Defending the Personhood of the Unborn
At the heart of this debate is a move to strip away the few remaining legal protections for precious unborn children. Under our current laws—the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929—the law recognizes the fetus as a child, not merely a "choice."
The Crime of Child Destruction: The 1929 Act specifically created the offence of "child destruction" to protect any child "capable of being born alive" before it has a "separate existence." This ensures a baby has legal protection even during the delivery process.
International Standards: By removing these protections, Clause 191 contradicts international human rights instruments ratified by the UK. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child explicitly states that a child needs "special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth."
A Solution in Search of a Problem
Proponents suggest current laws are overly punitive, yet Home Office data reveals that in the last six years, there has been only one criminal conviction under abortion laws (Offence 14 - Procuring Illegal Abortion, and Offence 4.3 - Intentional Destruction of a Viable Unborn Child), and the sentence was suspended. Eliminating these offences doesn't solve a legal crisis; it creates a moral one by removing the legal "personhood" of the child at their most vulnerable moment.
The Foundation of Law: "You Shall Not Murder"
First and foremost, Clause 191 is a direct violation of God’s holy commandment: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). The Royal Law of love demands that we act to protect and preserve human life. Ultimately, all human life is sacred, we are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). We are beautiful images of God’s creation and every man, woman, child, and unborn baby is "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14).
Historically, the United Kingdom’s legal framework was built upon this very bedrock. From King Alfred the Great in the 9th century - who explicitly based the law of the land on the Ten Commandments - to the signing of the Magna Carta, our common law has been rooted in the immutable Word of God. As the great English Jurist, Sir William Blackstone wrote in his revered Commentaries on the Laws of England:
“Upon these two foundations, the law of nature and the law of revelation [God’s written law], depend all human laws; that is to say, no human laws should be suffered to contradict these.”
A Critical Hour in the House of Lords
The battle now rages in the House of Lords. On 2nd February 2026, it is expected that Peers will debate and scrutinise Clause 191 during the Committee Stage.
The good news is that we are seeing a vital stand for sanity against this dangerous amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. During the Second Reading on October 16th, a significant 65% of Peers who spoke on the abortion Clause raised serious concerns.
These voices of reason are rightly highlighting the legal and medical dangers of removing all criminal deterrents, particularly regarding the "pills by post" system:
Baroness O’Loan warned that Clause 191 “carries with it enormous risks to women” who may be misled into believing that late-term, unsupervised abortions are safe.
Lord Frost exposed the legal absurdity of the proposal, noting:
"In our country, if children are born prematurely after 24 weeks, the medical system will do everything it can to save them... Yet this clause will make it possible to try to end the life of a baby after 24 weeks without criminal consequences. It is simply inconsistent."
Despite the push for this extreme change, the UK public does not support abortion up to birth. A June 2025 Whitestone Insight poll revealed:
- 62% of UK adults believe abortion should remain illegal after 24 weeks.
- Only 1% of women support introducing abortion up to birth.
- 70% of women actually want to see the current 24-week limit reduced to 20 weeks.
In response to this public mandate, pro-life Peers are fighting back with crucial amendments:
Baroness Monckton is leading the charge for the complete removal of Clause 191.
Baroness Stroud is championing a return to mandatory in-person medical consultations to ensure women’s safety.
Lord Bailey is aiming to ensure that there is a mandatory investigation whenever an abortion is performed on a girl under the age of 16. This will mean that decrim proposals cannot hide rape, abuse, expolitation and criminal condcut committed against minors.
Baroness Eaton’s proposed amendment would make it clear that any new legal protection afforded to women in Clause 191, could not be used to shield against investigation and prosecution for sex selective abortions.
Expert analysis from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) indicates that over 1.2 million girls are lost to sex-selective abortion every single year. And that approximately 71 million baby girls have lost their lives to abortion across the world so far, simply because they are girls. Read our recent article on this appalling practice here.
Take Action: Defend the Vulnerable
We must establish justice on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our society. This nation's Christian heritage dictates that every human being, regardless of age, illness, or disability deserves dignity and the protection of the law.
How you can help today:
Pray: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). Pray for the Peers in the House of Lords to have the courage to oppose Clause 191.
Support the Amendments: Please take 30 seconds to fill in your details here and support Right To Life’s campaign to back Baroness Monckton’s amendment.
Sign the Petition: Add your name to the The Heartbeat Bill petition to show Parliament that we reject this radicalism.
Write to Your Peers: Use this template from SPUC and remember to highlight information from this article and our baby loss awareness page. Remind them that the sixth commandment—You shall not murder—must be the heartbeat of our laws.
Find out how your MP voted and contact them urging them to vote against Clause 191 when the Crime and Policing bill returns to the House of Commons.
If you are an MP or a Peer, it's not too late to protect women and children by voting to remove Clause 191 when the Crime and Policing bill amendments are debated in each House.
Please read and share with your colleagues the briefings below:
A briefing on Clause 191 of the Crime and Policing Bill (SPUC)
Evidence of Abortion Harming Women (CBR UK)
We are at a crossroads. Will we continue to follow the lead of organisations that celebrate "death circuits" and legalise the targeting of baby girls? Or will we stand and protect the most vulnerable among us?
For support after abortion visit PASE (Post Abortion Support for Everyone) and Join Us in our mission to protect innocent life and make abortion unthinkable.