Scottish National Party removes controversial abortion motion from conference agenda

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has removed a draft motion regarding abortion law reform from its upcoming National Conference agenda. The motion had previously drawn criticism for its alignment with recommendations from the Scottish Abortion Law Reform Expert Group, which advocates for the expansion of abortion access. Pro-life organizations, including the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), welcomed the decision to drop the proposal, describing it as a positive step toward protecting unborn life.

Despite the removal of the motion, concerns remain regarding the Scottish government's future legislative intentions. Bishop John Keenan of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland expressed deep concern over potential efforts to decriminalize abortion, warning that such changes could remove existing legal safeguards. While SPUC leadership acknowledged the SNP's decision, they noted that the government may still pursue these reforms through a public consultation process. Representatives from SPUC stated they intend to participate in any such consultations to advocate for policies that support both women and unborn children.