Allister slams Absentee MPs in Abortion votes
21 May 2008
Statement by Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister:
"I am appalled that despite the protestations earlier in the week that the DUP as a "pro-life" party would vote to reduce the abortion threshold, one third of its MPs failed to vote to reduce the limit from 24 weeks. The absence of Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson and Jeffrey Donaldson, coming on top of absences on Monday's votes on key embryology issues, exposes yet again how dual mandates are robbing Northern Ireland of full and effective representation. The electors of North Antrim, East Belfast and Lagan Valley deserve better than to be left voiceless on such a fundamental moral and political issue.
There is no substance in public statements of opposition to the present abortion regime if the opportunity to do something about it in the House of Commons is ignored. Just what was more important to these absentee MPs?"
