The SNP have crossed the line on abortion

For years, the SNP has relied on a particular political alchemy. It takes on extremely liberal social positions to appeal to the left, while dangling independence as a carrot to those on the right. But with the publication of a recent abortion law review, it appears to have gone too far. In attempting to make Scotland one of the most permissive abortion regimes in the world, the review has not simply drifted from public opinion – it has rocketed past it.

It is astonishing that this has been commissioned by a government that claims to champion women’s rights

The proposals are extreme by any measure. At present, abortion is available in Scotland for almost any reason up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. This already goes further than most other countries – across the EU most countries cap access t