Views of Conservative leadership candidates on abortion rights

It seems fair to say that the views of some Tory MPs on abortion are starkly different from those of the general British public. After all, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Minister of State, has previously said he is "completely opposed" to abortion, including in cases where the woman has become pregnant as a result of rape or abuse. 'an incest.

The MP for North East Somerset's view is in direct contradiction to the beliefs held by the overwhelming majority of Britons. A study, by YouGov and MSI Reproductive Choices UK, previously found that nine in 10 UK adults believe women should be able to access abortion services in Britain and specifically identify themselves as 'pro-choice' .

This begs the question of what the position of the various Conservative Party candidates vying to be leader on abortion is. Using analysis from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the UK's largest abortion provider, The Independent examined the approach taken by half a dozen Tory MPs, who have thrown their hats into the ring to become the next party leader and therefore the next Prime Minister, take on reproductive rights.

This comes as the issue of abortion in the UK gains momentum following the US Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v Wade - the landmark decision that legalized abortion nationwide in 1973 - last month. Millions of women in America have now lost their legal right to terminate a pregnancy, and more than half of US states are expected to ban abortion or severely restrict policies as a result of this ruling. Some states are on the verge of banning abortions even when a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

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