Opposition leader denies turning abortion into British election issue
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 8:24 pm
THE LONDON TIMES UK
Opposition Leader Michael Howard denied that he was seeking to turn abortion into a major election issue yesterday as Labour said they hoped that it would not become a party political matter.
The Conservative leader said he had been giving a straight answer when he told 'Cosmopolitan 'magazine that he thought the legal limit on abortions should be reduced from 24 to 20 weeks.
"I don't decide what is an election issue, neither does Mr Blair. The British people decide'', he said.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, praised Mr Howard as he issued a letter urging Roman Catholics to question parliamentary candidates on six key policy issues ahead of the next general election.
Though the Roman Catholic Bishop's Conference of England and Wales will not expressly recommend one party to worshippers, it suggests voters should closely scutinise candidates on their attitudes to the right-to-life issues and marriage.
Opposition Leader Michael Howard denied that he was seeking to turn abortion into a major election issue yesterday as Labour said they hoped that it would not become a party political matter.
The Conservative leader said he had been giving a straight answer when he told 'Cosmopolitan 'magazine that he thought the legal limit on abortions should be reduced from 24 to 20 weeks.
"I don't decide what is an election issue, neither does Mr Blair. The British people decide'', he said.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, praised Mr Howard as he issued a letter urging Roman Catholics to question parliamentary candidates on six key policy issues ahead of the next general election.
Though the Roman Catholic Bishop's Conference of England and Wales will not expressly recommend one party to worshippers, it suggests voters should closely scutinise candidates on their attitudes to the right-to-life issues and marriage.