Reform ramps up abortion culture war as pro-choice campaigners prepare to take to Parliament Square

PRESS RELEASE — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Abortion Rights warns of attempts to push anti-abortion politics into the British mainstream ahead of Stand Up for Choice this Saturday.

Abortion Rights has warned that Reform UK is attempting to ramp up a culture war over abortion in Britain, as anti-abortion campaigners are given a platform at the party’s national conference this week.

The warning comes as a Reform councillor in Wakefield has been suspended after posting a graphic that included a reference to “glorifying mothers who murder their children”.

Abortion Rights says the developments are part of a wider attempt to push anti-abortion rhetoric into mainstream British politics, drawing on a culture-war playbook already seen in the US.

Just days later, pro-choice campaigners will take to Parliament Square for Stand Up for Choice, Abortion Rights’ annual counter-protest to March for Life UK.

Speakers and organisations joining the demonstration include Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, writer and debater Tilly Middlehurst, Women Against the Far Right, NEU, PCS, UNISON Camden and MSI Reproductive Choices, alongside campaigners from across the pro-choice movement.

Kerry Abel, Chair of Abortion Rights, said:

“Anyone who thinks what happened in the US could never happen here needs to pay attention.

“Reform and the anti-abortion movement are trying to manufacture a culture war around abortion in Britain. This week anti-abortion campaigners are being given a platform at Reform’s conference. On Saturday, March for Life will take to the streets of London.

“These things do not happen in isolation. We are watching an organised attempt to push anti-abortion politics into the mainstream.

“But Britain is overwhelmingly pro-choice. On Saturday, we’ll be in Parliament Square making sure that majority is seen and heard.

“They’re marching to roll back our rights. We’re standing up for choice.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Media contact:
Kerry Abel, Chair of Abortion Rights
+44 7979 535242

About Abortion Rights:

Abortion Rights is the only grassroots pro-choice campaign in Britain, working for safe, free, legal and accessible abortion.

Join today!

Stand Up for Choice 2026:
Saturday 5 September 2026
1pm
Millicent Fawcett statue, Parliament Square, London

Stand Up for Choice is Abortion Rights’ annual counter-protest to March for Life UK, bringing together pro-choice campaigners, trade unions, healthcare professionals and supporters to defend reproductive rights.