A proposal that would radically change abortion law in England and Wales, as well as imposing abortion on Northern Ireland, has passed its first stage in the House of Commons. MPs voted by 208 to 123 to approve the Ten Minute Rule Motion proposed by Labour MP Diana Johnson. The motion would remove most legal restrictions on abortion in England and Wales, and impose a similar regime on Northern Ireland, which currently maintains strong right-to-life laws. Writing for the Catholic Herald before the debate, Baroness O'Loan said the proposal would have "staggering" consequences. "This Bill would have the effect of introducing radical changes to abortion practice in England and Wales, and would impose abortion on Northern Ireland," Baroness O'Loan wrote. "If these proposals were successful, we would see one the most extreme abortion regimes in the world introduced right across England, Wales and Northern Ireland." Speaking during the debate Conservative MP Fiona Bruce said the proposal would "set a dangerous constitutional precedent of interference".