The Irish Labour Party has seen its support fall by 16% in opinion polls since it declared support for legalising abortion in Ireland in the wake of the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the ABC case.
The latest poll - carried out by Red C for bookmakers, Paddy Power - shows a downward shift for Labour, whose support of 25% recorded in November fell to 21% last week, a 16% fall in their share of voter preferences.
Pro-life groups said that it was very likely that Labour's strong support for abortion was a major factor.
While other political parties were careful not to give an outright welcome to the ruling for fear of provoking a pro-life backlash, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said that his party would legislate to allow abortion if they led the next Irish government following the election in March.
Speaking on the 'News at One' he said that he would legislate for abortion on the grounds of the "life and health" of the mother - effectively abortion on demand.
"This would mean that Ireland would follow the British model - allowing for abortion for any reason at all, because a doctor will always find a 'health' reason to justify it," said Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute. She said that Gilmore's position enjoyed no popular support in Ireland but that the Labour Party's rump of pro-abortion extremists would push hard for this type of legislation.
"The immediate downward shift in support for Labour following their announcement of support for abortion legislation is significant," she added. "It's obviously difficult to show exact causation, but a lot of Labour's support is soft, and driven by anger at the government. They could easily lose a significant number of votes by championing something as horrific as abortion-on-demand."
Last month, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Ireland had violated the human rights of a woman who said she was forced to go Britain for an abortion. The Court found that the Irish Constitution provided a 'right' to abortion and that the Irish government should introduce measures enabling women to access abortion under those circumstances.
However, Youth Defence, Ireland's leading pro-life group, described the Court's ruling as "intrusive and unwarranted" and pointed out that the Irish Constitution did not provide a 'right' to abortion, but that the court had confused legitimate medical treatment (which was fully available to all pregnant Irish women) with abortion.
Youth Defence spokeswoman Rebecca Roughneen said that Labour's support for abortion was "not surprising, given that they have always championed leading abortion campaigners." However, Ms Roughneen said that voters needed to be aware that none of the larger Irish political parties had committed themselves to preserving Ireland's ban on abortion.
"Abortion is going to be an election issue, but it's up to the parties to take a pro-life position if they want to get pro-life votes," said Ms Roughneen.
Category | Abortion : Ireland
Published By | Life Institute
Comments on this post:
Comments(11)
Keith on Jan 14, 2011 5:51pm
Maybe a possible peaceful picket at Labour headquarters is in order to highlight their position. This should help gain sympathetic support from those in the public. But picketing outside the houses of politicians as was done in the past does your group no favors and loses you support, don't go down that route.
Damien Aylward on Jan 14, 2011 10:13pm
Please Pray fervently to overcome this manifestation of evil in our Country. Talk with your T.D. ( Teachta Dala ) immediately before it is too late for another of our unborn children.
Maria on Jan 18, 2011 10:36pm
Sorry Kieth, you are so wrong. I have been doing this work for nearly twenty years and I know that direct action is what has kept Ireland abortion free since 1992 and that includes house pickets. There is nothing wrong (or illegal) about picketing outside the someone's home as the area outside is public and we have a constitutional right to public assembly. People need to wake up and realise that the pro-abortion Labour party are likely to be a significant junior partner in the future coalition and are foaming at the mouth to introduce child killing into Ireland and the ECHR ruling is there catylist for doing so. Mark my words, babies will be killed if we don't do all that is morally possible to stop it. God help the future unborn children if YD are more concerned about public support than stopping abortion.
Anonymous on Jan 19, 2011 12:38pm
It is very important that the youth of this country are exposed to the horrors of abortion, because it would seem we are losing a bit of ground, and they are future voters. I've found out that a debate in UCC recently was one overwhelmingely by the 'pro-choice' side, and i know that was not a once off! This should be cause for some concern.
YD on Jan 19, 2011 12:54pm
Hello Anon, Can you let us know when the debate was, who was speaking for and against the motion, what the motion was and whether it was carried or not?
Thanks so much!
Anonymous on Jan 19, 2011 1:49pm
I believe the debate was on Monday. Mullen and Binchy and Dr Favier for Doctors for Choice spoke. The motion was that this house would not legalize abortion, that motion failed. There were probably other speakers but i'm not sure.
Manus on Jan 19, 2011 11:16pm
Keith
What is your objection to picketing a politician's home to save lives?
Please don't lose sight of the fact that the reason we are opposed to abortion is because human beings are killed in abortion.
The staff at Labour headquarters do not make decisions. No politician/decision-maker is likely to be at the office during any picket. The point of a picket is to make the evil-doer uncomfortable. If there is no discomfort, there is no reason not to proceed. If anything, picketing their office merely gives them the oxygen of publicity in the run-up to an election. A picket on their home points out consequences to their evil-doing.
Keith on Jan 20, 2011 1:33am
Still going to far, and out of order. Is it going to be peaceful or are you going to begin distrupting and shouting? which would disturb neighbours, and what have the politicians family done to deserve it they'll be in their house!, who have nothing to do with it. Sorry there are many other ways to make your point. You lose my support on that 100%.
Maria on Jan 20, 2011 2:11pm
Keith, as long as it is Non violent, it is peaceful. Chanting is a valid form of protest . You must remember that we are trying to prevent the abuse of innocent children , and I fail to see how anything short of violence or threats to the other party, (which I condem) is "going to far" considering children's lives are stake. As I have said before there is nothing illegal or morally wrong with picketing a politicians home. I would have no problem with people picketing my home because i am pro-life. It may not be for you but don't cast aspersions on those of us who want to protect children by tried and trusted methods. As I have said before the object is to save babies, not garner support for ourselves.
Sophie Reale on Jan 21, 2011 12:58am
If there hasn't been a picket why all the fuss?
I remember YD doing these years ago though on Brendan Howlinn and, while they may have caused a huge fuss, it was a clever move. Howlin was seriously put out - didn't he even resign. I recall the Indo writing that no one else would move to bring in abortion because they were afraid of having a youth defence picket on their lawn.
That's a good outcome. You need a mix of strategies I think.
Keith on Jan 23, 2011 6:08pm
You would have no problem if people picketed your home you say? If people started picketing at my house, the first thing i'd do is call the Gardai. This is a perfect way to alienate your group from the public, which will damage the position you disagree with. What the public think is very important, doing things like that alienates your group, and many will begin describing your group as a bunch of radicals, which they have done in the past, and does little to help our cause.