Dear Constituent,

Thank you for writing to me about the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021.

I am completely opposed to any loosening of the legal protections that exist to defend unborn children. If there is to be any change, it should be towards expanding our protection for the unborn and recognising that all human life is equal in dignity and worthy of protection.

As you so rightly point out, there is also a matter of respect for devolution. Giving the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the right to impose laws and regulations on so sacred a matter as human life is completely antithetical to the Good Friday Agreement and the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland.

The Parliament of the United Kingdom should act consistently with the devolved status of the Northern Ireland Assembly instead of undermining it.

Please rest assured that my vote will be against these regulations.

Thank you again for taking the time to write to me.

Yours,

EDWARD LEIGH MP