AlexBrew.co.uk

On 20th May 2008 Abortion Rights led a demonstration asking MPs not to ‘turn the clock back on women’s rights'. At the same time and separately, two women activists locked themselves in and covered themselves in sounding rape alarms as Ann Widdecombe (Conservative MP who's against the existing time limit) gave a speech nearby.

MPs (largely on the left - over 80% of Conservatives want to lower the time limit) voted to keep the existing 24 week time limit but this is just one small defeat against the anti-abortion campaigners. While the anti-abortionists talk about being pro-life their campaign would lead to a situation in the UK that could lead to death and injury to millions of women. Each year, 20 million abortions take place in unsafe conditions and as a consequence, an estimated 80,000 women die. Currently in the UK women wanting an abortion have to get the signatures of two doctors. Abortion laws in the UK are more restrictive than in almost every other European country. The legislation would put women's bodies further in the hands of men.

Photographer: Alex Brew