Ruth Kelly, the British Transport Secretary, has announced her resignation from the Cabinet, citing the need to spend more time with her family. However, there is considerable speculation that Mrs Kelly, a Catholic, has resigned to avoid being forced to vote in favour of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology bill.
Whilst it is laudable for a cabinet minister to resign on a matter of principle, it is a pity she did not make her stand clear if she is indeed resigning because of the abortion vote. It would have been an incredible act of witness for Ruth Kelly to stand before the Labour Party Conference and announce that she was standing down because she could not give her support to an immoral bill that targets the most vulnerable citizens of the country she serves.
SPUC has produced materials and information for those who wish to know more about the bill and to assist those in the UK who wish either to lobby their MP's, and to assist in raising public awareness about the HFE bill in general. Please consider making your voices heard while there is still time.
