But I now think we will never get an open and honest approach to unwanted pregnancy, to easy contraception and the morning-after pill until we finally lay all this nonsense to rest. Only a woman herself can decide what to do when confronted with the disaster of accidental pregnancy. Changing the law to reflect that would change the moral climate. As long as women have the shaming obligation of pretending to doctors that they are half-mad, the climate of sin, disapproval and fear will remain. The medical profession is used as a moral gatekeeper on sexual matters that are none of its business, and should refuse to do it.
Medical mystique frightens off the most vulnerable and the youngest.
The Pro-Choice Alliance, an umbrella campaign, is looking for an MP brave enough to take up abortion reform as a private member's bill. Many have expressed strong support, but Labour MPs are under heavy pressure from above not to touch it. Meanwhile we wait to see how vigorous and brave the new task force will be over the whole fraught question of sex education and making contraception easy to get. Tessa Jowell and the health department are keen, but the auguries from David Blunkett are not good, with a press release this week saying he regards sex education as a matter primarily for parents.