Abortion clinic buffer zones: How MPs voted in Birmingham, Solihull & Sandwell

MPs have been voting on an amendment to the Public Order Bill which would allow buffer zones to be created around abortion clinics.

The aim of the buffer zones is to protect women from harrassment if they are seeking a medical procedure or visiting an abortion clinic for advice.

Last night Tuesday (October 18) this amendement was backed by 297 MPs with 110 opposing. The amendment was pushed by a cross-party group of MPs. Each MP was give a free vote on the matter.

The bill is in the report stage and has not become law yet. Under the proposed law, harassing, obstructing or interfering with any woman attending an abortion clinic will become a criminal offence. Protesters found guilty of breaching the buffer zones – which would extend 150 metres from the clinics – could face up to six months in jail.

Currently, police and local authorities can apply to set up zones in response to complaints over protests - such as the one in place around Robert Clinic in Kings Norton - but these can face legal challenges from anti-abortion campaigners.

The amendment to the Public Order Bill seeks to provide a less stressful environment to vulnerable women. The vote comes after several states in the US have banned abortion completely or at different stages of pregnancy.

How did Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell MPs vote?

There were 297 ayes and 110 nays in parliament on 18 October when the vote for the new Clause 11 of Public Order Bill took place.

The Birmingham MPs who voted yes are: Steve McCabe, Selly Oak Labour; Andrew Mitchell, Sutton Coldfield, Conservative; Jess Phillips, Labour, Yardley; Liam Byrne, Hodge Hill, Labour; Preet Kaur Gill, Edgbaston, Labour; Paulette Hamilton, Erdington, Labour; Shabana Mahmood, Ladywood, Labour; and Tahir Ali, Hall Green, Labour.

The Birmingham MPs who voted no: are Gary Sambrook, Northfield, Conservative. The Birmingham MPs that did not vote: Khalid Mahmood, Perry Barr, Labour.

The Sandwell MPs who voted yes: Shaun Bailey, West Bromwich West, Conservative; John Spellar, Warley, Labour; Nicola Richards, West Bromwich, Conservative.

The Sandwell MPs who did not vote are James Morris, Halesowen & Rowley Regis, Conservative.

None of the Solihull MPs voted: Julian Knight, Solihull, Conservative; and Saqib Bhatti, Conservative.

Support for the amendment

Selly Oak MP McCabe, who previously supported a PSPO in Birmingham preventing people from protesting outside a Kings Norton abortion clinic, tweeted saying: “MPs have backed an amendment supporting the idea of buffer zones around abortion clinics to protect users, staff and local residents by 297 votes to 110 in a free vote tonight. The government is opposed to the idea.”

Several charities that provide support to women seeking abortion spoke up in favour of the vote. They had been campaigning for the buffer zones for a long time.

Clare Murphy, Chief Executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, BPAS, the UK’s leading abortion care provider, said: “We are delighted that today MPs have voted to protect women, protect healthcare staff, and establish buffer zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales.

“At BPAS, we have been working tirelessly for almost a decade to end anti-abortion clinic harassment. Every year, around 100,000 women are treated by a clinic or hospital for an abortion that is targeted by anti-abortion protests.

“These groups attempt to deter or prevent women from accessing abortion care by displaying graphic images of foetuses, calling women “murderers”, and hanging baby clothing around clinic entrances, causing women significant distress. Today’s vote will bring an end to this activity.

“This was truly a cross-party amendment, with support from across the House. We thank all those who have campaigned alongside us, and all those MPs who voted in favour today."

Another charity, MSI Reproduction Choices, tweeted saying: “After 10 years of campaigning, last night MPs voted overwhelmingly in support of national Buffer Zones. Anti-choice groups will now be prevented from gathering outside abortion clinics to harass clients and providers.”

PSPO issued around Robert Clinic, King’s Norton

McCabe previously supported a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which is a short-term solution, to stop members of Pro- Life/Pro-Choice groups protesting outside an abortion clinic in King’s Norton.

The PSPO came into effect on 7 September 2022 around the Robert Clinic on Station Road, where people used to gather regularly to protest against abortion, and will be in place until 5 September 2025.

PSPO restricts the following outside Robert Clinic:

1. Protesting, namely engaging in any act of approval or disapproval or attempted act of approval or disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means. This includes but is not limited to graphic, verbal or written means, prayer or counselling, 
2. Interfering, or attempting to interfere, whether verbally or physically, with a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or member of staff, 
3. Intimidating or harassing, or attempting to intimidate or harass, a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or a member of staff, 
4. Recording or photographing a Robert Clinic service user, visitor or member of staff or 
5. Displaying any text or images relating directly or indirectly to the termination of pregnancy

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