In these early days of 2008, we face an enormous opportunity to stand for our Christian values here in the UK.

This opportunity comes as a result of legislation that is now before Parliament. This legislation is moving quickly and will be making it’s way from the House of Lords to the House of Commons in February.

The new bill is called the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (HFE). The issue at stake is the life of the unborn child.

The elements of the act under deliberation are:

Reducing the number of weeks of pregnancy within which abortion would be legal, in the light of new scientific evidence and of changing public perceptions of the humanity of the foetus. There are proposals to reduce the current 24-week limit to 20 weeks or less.

Ending discriminatory abortion for disability – abortion can currently be carried out up to term for ‘substantial risk’ of ‘serious handicap’.

The potential to extend abortion practice by trials of ‘chemical abortions’ based in GP surgeries (with a view eventually to them happening in women’s homes), and by nurses and midwives performing them.

Abolishing the need for two medical signatures to grant an abortion. This has been suggested to decrease the number of late abortions, by making an abortion faster to obtain during the early stages of pregnancy.

The facts of abortion in the UK:

• One in three women in England has an abortion in their lifetime
• More than one in four pregnancies will end in abortion
• More than 500 abortions take place each day in the UK
• In 40 years there have been 6.7 million abortions in the UK *

Where Premier stands on the abortion debate:

As Christians we believe in the sanctity of life and that we are created in the image of God. We believe that MPs should be encouraged to review the Act, with the hope that the following changes are made:

• Secure an immediate and substantial reduction to below 22 weeks gestation for all abortions.
• Thereby offer more protection in law to a disabled unborn child.
• Ensure before abortion takes place that women are fully informed regarding the moral, emotional and physical consequences
• Give MPs the opportunity to vote on such issues according to their conscience rather than according to their party whip.

Premier commits to:

Educate and report by encouraging informed debate ‘On Air’ so Christians fully understand both sides of the argument.

Encourage prayer amongst our Prayer Intercessors and any other Christian who will join us as the HFE Bill goes through Parliament. It will inevitably raise issues of enormous moral significance regarding the embryo as well as facilitating abortion law revision.

Provide a listening ear via Premier Lifeline, in association with other Christian help lines, confidentially to befriend women facing these decisions.

Campaign with MPs to encourage them to raise the issue of the disabled unborn child, the proposal to reduce the number of weeks from 24 to 20, and to vote according to their conscience.

Your prayers and support are greatly valued. If the issues in this letter have affected you or you need support you can contact Premier Lifeline.

Read the full bill online on the parliamentary website.

* Figures and facts were sourced from the Christian Medical Fellowship and Alive and Kicking.