The House of Commons recently voted in favor of Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi's amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, which seeks to address the legal status of self-termination of pregnancies, with a majority of 242 votes.

This amendment was treated as a matter of conscience, allowing MPs to vote freely while the Government maintained a neutral stance.

Several Cabinet ministers, including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Defence Secretary John Healey, expressed their support for the amendment, although some Conservative members opposed it.

Under current laws in England and Wales, abortion is classified as a criminal offense except when performed by authorized providers up to 24 weeks, with very limited exceptions thereafter.

The amendment aims to eliminate the risk of investigation or prosecution for women who choose to terminate their pregnancies, addressing concerns raised after instances of women being investigated for suspected illegal abortions.

While the amendment seeks to protect women, it does not prevent prosecution for medical professionals who facilitate abortions beyond the 24-week limit.

These proposed legal changes are part of ongoing efforts to repeal outdated legislation, particularly the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, which has faced criticism for being anachronistic.

Advocates, including Kate Ellis from the Centre for Women’s Justice, argue that the existing Victorian-era laws are outdated and threaten women in vulnerable situations with criminal prosecution.

It is important to note that these proposed changes do not extend to Scotland, where a separate review of abortion laws is currently underway.

Following the parliamentary vote, Downing Street stated that any proposed changes to abortion laws must be 'workable and safe', emphasizing the government's responsibility to ensure effective legislation.

A spokesman for Downing Street reiterated that the government would review the amendment to make necessary adjustments while ensuring it does not alter the intent of the passed amendment.

Despite the government's neutral position, it acknowledges the importance of ensuring that any law passed is effective and does not compromise safety.