Labour MPs Intensify Pressure on Greens Over Childbirth Stance
More than fifty Labour MPs have issued a forceful demand for the Green Party to officially abandon its controversial maternity policy, which seeks to reduce medical interventions during childbirth. In a letter addressed to Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski, seen by The Independent, the parliamentarians call for the policy to be ditched "with immediate effect" to protect women and babies across the nation.
Policy Background and Apology
The Green Party faced significant backlash for a health policy that pledged to reduce Caesarean section rates, describing them as "expensive and, when not medically required, risky." The original policy stated the party would "work to reduce the number of interventions in childbirth and change the culture," proposing that birth should be treated as "a normal and non-medical event." In 2024, the party apologised unreservedly for the upset caused by this stance, deleting the policy from its website and omitting it from their election manifesto.
However, Mr Polanski previously told Sky News that the party had not changed its mind, indicating expert advice would be necessary before any inclusion. This has led to ongoing speculation about the policy's official status, with Labour MPs now pushing for a definitive withdrawal.
Labour's Concerns and Accusations
The letter from Labour MPs argues that the policy has contributed to a harmful narrative, portraying Caesarean sections as a failure or lesser form of birth. "This judgment is not just unfair but dangerous," the letter states, emphasising that such stigma could endanger lives. It highlights the urgency of the matter, noting ongoing investigations into maternity care nationwide and the need to prioritise safety above all else.
Michelle Welsh, Labour's Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity, condemned the policy as "deeply irresponsible" and "ideological," warning that it risks reinforcing stigma and compromising safety. She stressed that maternity care must always centre on clinical judgement and safe outcomes for both mother and baby, rather than ideological positions.
Green Party Response and Democratic Process
A Green Party spokesperson responded by emphasising the party's democratic nature, stating that policies are determined by members, not MPs from other parties. It is understood that a motion to change the maternity policy will be presented at the party's spring conference later this month, where members will decide whether to debate it. This indicates that while the policy has been criticised and removed from public platforms, its official abandonment has not yet been finalised through internal processes.
Broader Context and NHS Changes
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of significant shifts in NHS maternity care. In 2022, the NHS abandoned national targets to reduce Caesarean section rates to 20 percent, instead instructing staff to treat each case individually. This change followed the Ockenden Review into failures at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, which, despite being praised for low C-section rates, found that some mothers and babies had been harmed by this approach.
Evidence shows the UK underperforms compared to other OECD countries in infant and newborn mortality, ranking 19 out of 22 comparable nations in 2022. An audit of NHS maternal care last year revealed that over half of mothers now have babies with medical intervention, such as Caesareans or instruments like forceps. Labour has launched a national investigation into maternity services to drive improvements, alongside initiatives like expanding free childcare and family hubs.
The Labour MPs' letter concludes with a stark warning: "The current policy you have been advocating for is dangerous. We are therefore calling on you to change your policy with immediate effect to protect women and babies in this country." As the Green Party prepares for its conference, the pressure mounts to resolve this contentious issue definitively.
