Stormont’s vote on abortion services had no power to change current legislation but it signaled the strength and depth of social conservatism here and the need to defend and develop existing abortion legislation.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Party’s Northern Ireland Business Committee which re-affirmed the Party’s position that women have the right to control their own bodies, including their fertility, and to pursue all reproductive choices

For DUP members and others to criticise legislation passed at Westminster saying it “treated Northern Ireland with contempt” while attempting to deny women autonomy over their own bodies is the height of hypocrisy.

Any barrier to reproductive rights for women is also a barrier to full social, economic and political life including workplace equality. It is a woman’s human right to have autonomy over her own body.

Those rights need to be defended, secured and enshrined in Assembly proof  legislation for as long as local conservative forces find common cause against the rights of women.