We have compiled this spreadsheet of all of the MLA candidates and their stances on abortion law reform for the NI Assembly Election on March 2nd 2017. #trustwomen #AE17
Explanatory Notes as of February 2017:
The DUP, SDLP, TUV oppose changing the law on abortion in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin supports law reform in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and sexual crime.
The Alliance Party and Ulster Unionist Party offer their candidates a 'vote of conscience' on abortion, and therefore their members may have varying opinions on abortion law reform.
The NI Conservatives are in favour of the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.
Cross-Community Labour Alternative, the Green Party, Progressive Unionist Party, People Before Profit Alliance, and the Workers' Party are in favour of the full decriminalisation of abortion.
Independent candidates' stances vary according to the candidate and are determined by their individual views.
Where political parties have a party stance on abortion law reform, we have attributed the party stance to every MLA candidate from that party.
With regard to independents and candidates from parties that treat abortion as a conscience issue, we have recorded their responses on an individual basis.
We have contacted independent/'issue of conscience' candidates through either email, telephone or messages on their social media platforms. We have left the entry blank for candidates who are yet to reply.
Further, with this spreadsheet we acknowledge that conversations and lobbying are ongoing and that MLA stances on abortion can and do change owing to the hard work of pro-choice lobbyists.
With that in mind, this data is correct up until 27th February 2017. If any MLA candidates wish to get in touch to add/update/amend their details, please email: mlatrustwomenafc@gmail.com
Footnotes from individual responses below:
Thanks to Rachel Watters & Maeve O'Brien for their original spreadsheet in 2016 and Jill McManus and Elaine Crory for this year's.