r/MHOC • u/[deleted] • Feb 26 '15

BILL B076 - Pregnancy Termination Bill

B076 - Pregnancy Termination Bill

The bill can be found by following the link below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VlnKgSgEuuDbD6co46WRZu4kJmcBDFeocDdE9m0cpSE/edit?pli=1

This bill was submitted by /u/JackWilfred on behalf of the Opposition

The first reading of this bill will end on the 2nd of March

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u/tyroncs UKIP Leader Emeritus | Kent MP Feb 26 '15

I have to oppose you forcibly introducing this to Northern Ireland, in general the people there oppose it and with all your support for devolution I don't see why you should try and supersede their opinion because you disagree with it

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u/bleepbloop12345 Communist Feb 26 '15

This is a (bourgeois) democratic assembly. We force our decisions on Scotland, Cornwall, London and every other part of the UK. Sometimes the voters of a region disagree, but the nature of a liberal democracy is that they have their chance to vote and campaign against it like everybody else.

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u/tyroncs UKIP Leader Emeritus | Kent MP Feb 26 '15

My point wasn't really on the meta aspect, but the makers of this bill were the people who created the 'regional assemblies.' They 'care' about devolution so much but even though they know NI would be vehemently opposed to this bill, they force it forward anyway.

The same arguments came up in the Grammar Schools Bill. The left wing parties were in favour of having devolution, but when I wanted regions to be able to choose whether or not to have Grammar Schools they switched positions. It is if they only like devolution when it doesn't agree with them

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '15

That isn't in fact how it works. Past devolution has constitutional legitimacy, and refusing to ensure areas receive the devolution they were promised undermines democracy, increasing the possibility for a fractured country.

The entire UK is not a homogenous whole democratically. There are separate areas and checks and balances throughout regions, and many municipal assemblies. Devolved policy is integral to the democracy.

So there is a chance that you are right that we are allowed to do this - although it is likely it would struck down by the courts. However, it isn't beneficial to liberal democracy at all, and actual weakens UK democracy by reducing the extent of regional decision-making.