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New ComRes Poll Shows 93% of people in Northern Ireland believe that both lives matter
Both Lives Matter | Press | New ComRes Poll Shows 93% of people in Northern Ireland believe that both lives matter
A ComRes poll of people in Northern Ireland published today, found that 93% agreed that in pregnancy the life of both the mother and the unborn child are important. Only 2% said that the unborn child's life is not important.
Speaking at an event held in Stormont last night, Dawn McAvoy, co-founder of Both Lives Matter said:
"On Tuesday a Bill is being introduced in Westminster by an English MP which proposes removing all legal protections for the unborn child in Northern Ireland (and England and Wales) until the end of the 24th week of pregnancy, in other words well into five months of pregnancy This is not supported by the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland. It is a tired and sad vision for women which says they can only be free and equal when they have the ability to end the lives of their children at will. Their campaign goes far beyond the hard cases in the context of GB where 98% of abortions involved physically healthy women aborting physically healthy babies. This poll shows that most people in Northern Ireland believe that both lives matter when it comes to pregnancy. Together we can find a more human way ahead which gives dignity and value to both."
Today's poll follows polling published in Westminster on Wednesday revealing that 64% of the general population in Northern Ireland agree that changing the law on this issue should be a decision for the people of Northern Ireland and their elected representatives. That polling also showed a strong majority of women reject interference from Westminster on this sensitive issue with 66% agreeing that this was a decision for Northern Ireland. The strongest support among age groups surveyed came from the youngest age group, 18-34 year olds, with 70% agreeing that they did not want abortion law imposed on Northern Ireland from Westminster.
The polling was released at a special parliamentary event in Westminster on Wednesday, where MPs heard from women from Northern Ireland who spoke in favour of respecting devolution and against Westminster imposing abortion laws on the region.
Both events were held ahead of a Ten Minute Rule Bill being brought before Parliament on Wednesday 23rd of October which is seeking to change the law on abortion in Northern Ireland from Westminster. The Bill also seeks to change abortion legislation in England and Wales by removing almost all the legal safeguards provided by the Abortion Act.
Polling released by Both Lives Matter earlier this year also showed a huge majority – 72% – of Conservative MPs are against devolution being undermined by imposing abortion laws on Northern Ireland.
Both Lives Matter are encouraging constituents to contact their MPs and ask them to vote against the Ten Minute Rule Bill next Tuesday. Constituents can do this by visiting http://www.bothlivesmatter.org/contact-mp-abortion
ComRes interviewed 1,013 Northern Irish adults online between 8th and 15th October 2018. Data was weighted to be representative of all Northern Irish adults. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. http://www.comresglobal.com/polls/northern-ireland-abortion-poll/
High-resolution photos from Both Lives Matter that can be used for press use are available here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmox9nDs
The Both Lives Matter MP polling mentioned above can be found in more detail here: https://bothlivesmatter.org/72-of-conservative-mps-reject-undermining-of-devolution-to-impose-abortion-on-northern-ireland
Abortion Statistics England and Wales 2017: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/714183/2017_Abortion_Statistics_Commentary.pdf
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