Crime and Policing Bill

Debate between Lord Biggar and Lord Kennedy of Southwark

3rd reading
Wednesday 25th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

Before anyone else comes in, I will just say that we should be addressing only the narrow issue of the impact assessment and nothing else.

[Lord Biggar (Con)]

My Lords, I rise to speak for no more than 90 seconds in support of the amendment from the noble Baroness, Lady O’Loan.

When we in this House voted through Clause 246 last week, we had failed to consider an important logical effect. In voting to decriminalise abortion by the mother up to the eve of birth, we decriminalised the deliberate killing of a mature, foetal human being. Between the human foetus on the eve of birth and the human infant 24 hours later, there is no significant moral difference. In passing Clause 246, we chose to breathe down the neck of legitimising early infanticide.

The fact that the clause leaves in place a general prohibition of abortion after 24 weeks makes no difference. In declaring that the killing is no crime, we declare that it does not matter. The killing does not matter only because what is being killed does not matter. What applies to the mature foetus applies equally to the early infant.

Our failure to assess that significant implication is highly regrettable, and that is why I support the amendment.