“The position in Northern Ireland is now highly anomalous”: Vince Cable on abortion laws
Speaking as the result of the Irish referendum on abortion became clear, Vince Cable said:
I believe in the principle of the right to choose – I think in the rest of the UK we have a sensible balance.
The position in Northern Ireland is now highly anomalous and I think, probably, action will now have to be taken.
Since there is, effectively, direct rule from Westminster, the government has responsibility and it can and should take the opportunity to deal with this issue properly.
Grainne Teggart, of Amnesty International UK, meanwhile said,
It’s hypocritical, degrading and insulting to Northern Irish women that we are forced to travel for vital healthcare services but cannot access them at home. We cannot be left behind in a corner of the UK and on the island of Ireland as second-class citizens.
It is an odd inconsistency in the DUP’s position on Northern Ireland’s relations with the rest of the UK. When it comes to Brexit, the DUP strongly oppose any different rules for Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. When it comes to social issues, the DUP strongly demands different rules.
It must mean that yet another barrier to the unification of Ireland is removed by the voice of the people of the South. Their two-thirds majority vote on abortion effectively removes papal control of the State.
This sets the scene for a single secular Ireland, in which all its people can share in the benefits of continued membership of the EU, irrespective of artificial division, should Britain leave.
We British should invest in a large dowry, equal to the annual subsidy for Northern Ireland. This will go in time, as hopefully will the ridiculous so-called ‘loyalists. Loyal to what or whom remains uncertain, but it is not to a modern, liberal Britain.
The Irish Protestants used to say Home Rule meant Rome rule but now that has gone there is no reason to maintain a separate Northern state and that will soon become obvious to the majority in the North when the debate on abortion begins there. Presumably Norther Irish women will be able to go to the South instead of England.
With the problems over EU membership etc everything is falling into place for the creation of a United Ireland. What a relief.