DEWSBURY MP Shahid Malik voted to reduce abortion time limits as other local MPs chose to retain the present 24 weeks.
The majority of MPs voted to retain the status quo in the free vote, but Mr Malik and some other MPs sought to reduce the limit to 20 weeks.
Mr Malik said: “Medical advances now and in the near future have meant babies born prematurely, even as early as five months, are able to survive, even though the chances may be small.
“It was really a very difficult decision for all MPs and I respect everyone’s right to do what they think is right by their conscience and I believe that life is equally precious to people on all sides of the debate.
“Although the Government and many opposition MPs wanted to retain the 24 week limit, I just felt on balance there was a need to lower the limit.”
“Of course this is in many ways is a secondary debate. If we are really serious about reducing the number of abortions in a significant way, then we need to further enhance the access young people have to sex education.
“In this country our teenage pregnancy rates are far too high and we need to bring them down and this is the surest way of reducing abortions.”
Mr Malik also voted against the Government and many opposition MPs when he supported an amendment to offer extra counselling for mothers who knew that there child would be disabled and were considering abortions.
He said: “We live in an age when we are always in a rush and an age when we all want perfection in our lives and for ourselves.
“I just thought if extra counselling – not compulsory but on a voluntary basis was offered – then it would just help people make a more informed decision.
“My desire was not to influence their decision, but to provide an extra opportunity to think through with the help of experts. Ultimately, I of course respect the decisions that all individuals make in these life-changing moments.”
All the other MPs in Kirklees voted to keep the upper limit for abortion at 24 weeks.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said the time was not right for change unless more scientific evidence presented itself.
While Mr Sheerman said he was influenced by scientific evidence, he said he received little pressure from either pro-abortion or anti-abortion lobbyists in his constituency.
Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford, who voted for the status quo, added: “The science hasn’t changed and the viability of life hasn’t changed.”
Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood said he would support a reduction but not until scientific advances had been made.
Wakefield MP Mary Creagh said there was no real reason to change the law.
