Is France paving the way for British politics - people over foetuses, and public over politicians

 Following the overturning of Roe v Wade in America in 2022, people living in the states who are able to get pregnant are now being denied bodily autonomy over their own reproductive rights. Understandably, there’s been much outrage over this both in the states and amongst otherwise globally-located surveyors of American media. 

However, despite the comparative statements like, “at least we don’t have it that bad over here”, that often accompany those of outrage amongst pro-choicers in the UK, arguably, we kind of do. This is because, as in America, abortion has never been a constitutional right for British citizens. While in Britain “human rights” are a constitutional right on paper, this doesn’t necessarily encompass the right to abortion with this framework. This means that although we are technically free to have an abortion, this “right” - which comes with its own small print -  can be taken away from us just as easily. 

Under the UK’s 1967 Abortion Act, abortion is only legal for someone who’s mental or physical health is not at risk from pregnancy, or that of any other existing children in their family, or if there’s no risk the baby could be born with any severe physical or mental abnormalities. That means that if doctors carry out an abortion outside of these conditions, say for example, if someone just didn’t want to have a child, then the doctor carrying out the procedure can be criminalised. 

Since the overturning of the US’s nationwide right to abortion, Labour MP Stella Creasy has been pushing to make the right to abortion a human right in the British Bill of Rights. For all his faults, even Prime Minister Kier Starmer has voted in the past to introduce areas around abortion clinics and hospitals where people can go to seek abortion services without experiencing harassment. 

However, as recently as June of last year, Carla Foster, who acquired medication to induce an abortion under the “pills by post” scheme, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for terminating a late-term pregnancy. Likewise, in 2022 a woman was reported to the police by her medical team in a failed attempt to end her own pregnancy. Even though Foster’s sentence was reduced following outrage from campaigners and MPs at the charge she’d received, the UK’s stance on abortion is still worrying. 

For instance, young people have formed pro-life societies in universities across the UK, including at The University of Manchester, who’s students are usually in the news for their left-leaning activism and progressive political stances. Also, in 2022, votes showed that around 25% of MPs are consistently opposed to abortion rights. 

Whilst the left-leaning backlash to the fascist protests across the country recently have shown that Brits aren’t willing to stand back while their rights are taken away from them, it’s worth reminding ourselves of the government’s attempt to introduce anti-protest measures only a couple of years ago with the Police Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill. Fortunately, this bill was met with hordes of ‘kill the bill’ protests up and down the country. Nevertheless, it was a frightening sojourn into not unfamiliar - and no less threatening - territory, despite the supposed right to our “freedom of expression” written into the UK constitution. 

Like with our so-called free access to our own reproductive rights then, the suggestion of bills like the PCSC bill is a reminder that, even though it might seem like the right to abortion for people in the UK is safer than in the US, it could actually already be a lot more fragile than we realise. What’s more, although left-leaning protesters have shown they’re not willing to passively watch their rights being taken away from them, arguably these threats to our freedom and democracy suggest that, as it has for a long time, the UK presents as much more progressive than it actually is. 

Where to look for a positive and uplifting approach to abortion, then? Well, to France of course, which became the first country to explicitly protect abortion rights in its constitution this year. The birthplace of some of the world’s most famous feminist theorists like Simone de Beauvoir, as well as lesser-known but still widely celebrated civil servant Simone (Jacob) Veil. Born in 2017, Veil was fundamental in the struggle for womens’ access to contraception in France during the twentieth century and fought to legalise abortion in 1975 in what would come to be known as the “Loi Veil”. 

And, if the recent shock victory of their leftist new popular front is anything to go by, we might consider that actually giving people the freedom to choose - both who they vote for, and whether or not they bear children, could actually be a strong, realistic basis upon which to build a country’s national politic. 

Undoubtedly there are many issues around a lack of - and mis- repreresentation thanks to the UK’s current two party system modelled on the republican system in France in the 18th century. Not only did many people not vote in the recent elections, feeling like neither of the leading parties represented themselves or their values, but since Jeremy Corbyn stepped down the “Leftist” Labour party has been criticised for its centrist views and policies. 

However, maybe the recent show of anti-fascist revolutionary spirit in France should be a sign of the power of the people over the politicians in order to actually prioritise the rights and needs of not only the most vulnerable, but also to everyone who deserves to be able to make their own decisions about the body that they live in. 

Perhaps by following the French people’s lead, here in the UK we can put our argent where our agency is.