Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Embryos and Pressure Groups

The Human Embryo and Fertilisation Bill is being debated in the Commons at the moment, and one of the more controversial aspects is the amendment being moved by Tory MP Nadine Dorries to lower the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 20 weeks. I have no wish to go into the ins and outs of this super-charged debate, but it is worth noting the assistance given by one particular pressure group to Dorries. The Lawyers Christian Fellowship, headed by Andrea Williams, has been particularly active on this issue and even drafted the amendment for Dorries to move. they have not only been able to access Westminster - and Williams has worked very closely with Dorries - but have also organised protests outside Parliament on this issue. For AS students approaching Paper 1, this represents an excellent current example of the power of pressure groups. For more information on the link between the LCF and Westminster you can read this article by David Modell (who produced a 'Dispatches' programme on the same topic). The article itself has a clear axe to grind, but is useful in noting how the LCF sets about achieving its agenda - classic insider group tactics.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have no wish to go into the ins and outs of this super-charged debate...

Because you know you're wrong?

Anonymous said...

Or perhaps because this blog doesn't have the remit for it. Leave that to Ben Goldacre or Iain Dale.

Nonetheless, Andrea Williams and her ilk are mad, bad and dangerous to society. Did you see that Dispatches documentary? Nutters. The lot of 'em.

But nutters with a malleable MP on their side. And a member of Opus Dei in the cabinet.

The retreat of liberalism goes on

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