Maria Caulfield, a Conservative MP who supported reducing the abortion time limit and voted against buffer zones outside clinics, has been appointed minister for women, drawing criticism from Labour and women's rights groups.
Caulfield, the MP for Lewes, previously served as an officer of the all-party parliamentary 'pro-life' group and voted against legalising abortion in Northern Ireland. In 2018, as Tory vice-chair for women, she called for a debate on lowering the 24-week limit for legal abortions, describing the 1967 Abortion Act as 'one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world'.
Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women's Justice, said: 'We are horrified that a clear opponent of abortion rights has been appointed minister for women.' She added: 'The vast majority of women want the right to choose. Her appointment signals a potential restriction on women's reproductive rights.'
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, a charity advocating for abortion access, said Caulfield's views are 'out of step with members of the public and her own parliamentary party'. It called the appointment 'profoundly disappointing'. Shadow women and equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds said it was 'deeply troubling' and urged the government to confirm that a woman's right to safe and legal abortion is not under threat.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced accusations of failing to represent women in his cabinet, with about 23% of roles held by women, down from nearly a third under Liz Truss. Mandu Reid, leader of the Women's Equality party, said this showed a 'massive and deeply concerning blind spot'.
