Anti-abortion Christian lobbyists have met with MSPs from all the major political parties at Holyrood more than 100 times since the start of 2021
In 27 meetings during the period, these MSPs were lobbied specifically on the topic of abortion, according to descriptions entered on the Scottish Parliament’s Lobbying Register.
A further 81 meetings on other topics occurred between MSPs and these organisations – as well as other well-known anti-abortion campaigners Evangelical Alliance and Christian Institute – since 2021. Anti-abortion SNP MSP John Mason has argued pro-choice campaigners like Back Off Scotland – which has led calls for the introduction of buffer zones – have greater influence with the government than those who oppose abortion. Back Off Scotland had no entries in the lobbying register.
Christian Institute has led campaigns in Scotland against the “smacking ban” and Hate Crime Bill, and its latest annual review claims that permitting abortion pills to be taken at home “normalise[s] the killing of the unborn”, and outlines plans to take legal action against the proposed conversion therapy ban.
Last month, SNP MSP John Mason met three members of Care’s senior team over dinner in Edinburgh and “discussed a wide range of matters including abortion/buffer zones”.More Tory MSPs met with the organisations in question than any other party.
Evangelical Alliance’s reported income was £2.6m, 88% of which was from donations, while Christian Institute’s income was £3.2m, with £3.1m in “donations and legacies”.Alys Mumford of Engender suggested the funding represented as “a huge power imbalance”, given that “a lot of pro-choice activism is done by volunteers on a shoestring”.
With “three in four people” in Scotland agreeing that abortion should be safe and legal on the NHS, she claimed the views of the lobbying organisations were “extreme” and unrepresentative. Care, Evangelical Alliance, Christian Institute and Bishops’ Conference of Scotland did not respond to a request for comment.
“Back Off Scotland have certainly been lobbying MSPs and I imagine meeting with some as well. They seem to have got closer to the heart of government than any of the organisations mentioned on the pro-life side. But we do not need to be concerned that people are talking to each other.”
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Woman arrested in Edinburgh after protester holds anti-monarchy signPolice Scotland said the arrest was made outside St Giles' Cathedral, where the Queen's coffin is due to be held on Monday.
Read more »
Woman arrested after protester holds anti-monarchy sign in EdinburghShe was taken away after holding up a sign moments before the proclamation of the King earlier today.
Read more »
Residents plagued by anti-social crime on streets where there is 'no respect''No matter what, there's food left around and disposable BBQs, glass bottles, empty cans, a used nappy - there's no respect'
Read more »
Anti-Putin dissidents target regional elections to prove ‘not all Russians’ support the regimeDemocrats target votes as radicals target the system with Russia heading for the polls in elections many consider a sham
Read more »
Disgust as Manchester playing fields wall daubed with anti-monarchy graffitiDisgust as Manchester playing fields wall daubed with anti-monarchy graffiti following Queen's death
Read more »