Jacob Rees-Mogg hit with backlash after saying he is 'completely opposed' to abortion
Jacob Rees-Mogg is facing a heavy backlash after saying that he is opposed to abortion in all cases, including for women who have been raped.
The Conservative MP for North Somerset, who is a Catholic, made the comments this morning on Good Morning Britain.
He was asked about his views on abortion, and whether he opposed it under every circumstance.
.@Jacob_Rees_Mogg, a man touted as the next Tory leader, says he is 'completely opposed' to abortion – even if the woman has been raped pic.twitter.com/9RCeSV5enB
— ITV News (@itvnews) September 6, 2017
He responded: ‘I’m afraid I am. Life is sacrosanct and begins at the point of conception.’
A spokesperson for Marie Stopes, a charity that provides sexual health services, said: ‘Mr Rees-Mogg is entitled to his opinion.
‘It does nothing to change the fact that women in the UK have benefited from access to safe and legal abortion for 50 years, and will continue to do so.
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‘Restricting access to abortion only makes it more likely that women will risk their health and their lives through dangerous backstreet procedures.
‘Our teams around the world deal with the terrible impact of this every day. No one should be seeking to replicate this situation in the UK.’
Earlier this week it was reported that Mr Rees-Mogg was being considered for a ministerial position.
A survey of Conservative Party members also revealed that he is the favourite among grassroots members to succeed Theresa May as head of the party.
A number of MPs have criticised his comments regarding abortion, and his opposition to gay marriage.
This from a potential party leader? Off-message and out of touch https://t.co/Ic9sbhVJ1J
— Rupa Huq MP (@RupaHuq) September 6, 2017
That there 'moggmentum', normalising views on equality and human rights from the dark ages-as the smiths said..the jokes not funny anymore.. https://t.co/jeVDRP0dgD
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) September 6, 2017
Just take a moment to think about what a terrible state the 'modern' Tory party are in if this is the best they can proffer as next PM? https://t.co/vU5yUTzKqt
— Paula Sherriff MP (@paulasherriff) September 6, 2017
Views of @Jacob_Rees_Mogg on @GMB out of step w/modern @Conservatives. In language he understands: tu es dedecorus. https://t.co/yNVrEiAAbe
— LGBT+ Conservatives (@LGBTCons) September 6, 2017
The latest British Social Attitudes survey found that almost two thirds of Catholics support abortion if a woman does not want the baby.
A YouGov survey conducted in 2015 found that 7% of Conservatives want to ban abortion entirely.
