Oxford college bans abortion debate

Christ Church College Oxford have cancelled a debate due to take place this evening on the motion: 'This House believes Britain's abortion culture hurts us all' with Catholic journalist Tim Stanley proposing the motion and Spiked Editor and Big Issue Columnist Brendan O’Neill opposing.

Oxford Students For Life (OSFL) who planned the event said: “Last year in Britain, over 185,000 abortions were carried out. What does this say about our national culture? Is it a sign of equality, or does it suggest we treat human life carelessly?”

Oxford Women's Campaign and Cambridge Women's Campaign both condemned the debate because they object to the fact that there were no women participating. The Oxford women's campaign said: "That Oxford Students For Life thinks inviting those who are not directly affected is acceptable... is indicative of their desire to move the conversation around abortion away from the realities of people's lives and bodies; stigmatising those who access such basic healthcare."

Tim Stanley commented: “I would’ve thought that the one place in Britain where you could agree to disagree amicably would be Oxford University. But I was wrong. For instance, I’ve discovered that you’re only allowed to debate abortion there if a) you’re a woman and b) you’re all for it. Any other approach to the subject is liable to attract a mob”.

Neil Addison, a barrister and national director of the Thomas More Legal Centre, said the college’s decision not to host an abortion debate was unlawful under the Education No 2 Act 1986, which guarantees freedom of speech in universities. If there were concerns, then the police should have been informed to prevent intimidation of the debate”.

The OSFL has failed to find an alternative venue to host the event and in a statement expressed disappointment, saying: “We only expected to have the same rights of expression as any other Oxford student society, and we’re disappointed that scare tactics proved successful.”