As the campaign for legal abortion gained momentum, a few courageous voices were raised against it. “Babies are not like bad teeth to be jerked out just because they cause suffering,” said one MP, who added that she feared the legalisation would lead to “abortion on demand”.
The year was 1967, and the politician was Jill Knight, the Tory MP for Edgbaston, protesting against David Steel’s abortion bill. Her objection – that the phrasing of the law, however cautious, would lead to widespread abortion – has been vindicated.
