After the referendum decision in the Republic of Ireland to legalise abortion, eyes have now turned to Northern Ireland where the law remains strict. With the socially conservative DUP the strongest party in the country, and with a hold over Prime Minister May due to their coallition agreememt, the political path to legalisation is still beset with significant obstacles, but what do the people in Northern Ireland actually think about the issue?
According to the most recent comprehensive survey, by Northern Ireland LIFE & TIMES, there are strong majorities in favour of legalising abortion in cases where the baby or the mother are certain to die if the pregnancy is continued. Similarly strong, is the support for abortion if the pregnancy arises as a result of rape or incest. Starkly contrasting this though, is the sentiment towards women who have decided that they do not want a child at the current time. The majority in this situation maintain that an abortion should be illegal.
The Northern Irish view on abortion law
Health
Description
This chart shows the share in Northern Ireland that say abortion should be legal or illegal in certain cases.
