Last year the Scottish parliament ran a consultation [1] seeking views on how they should respond to a petition 'Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to ban the provision or promotion of LGBT+ conversion therapy in Scotland'. [2] Later in the year, Westminster also launched a...
When I was in hospital recovering from an operation a few years ago, I was visited by a robot. It was part of a project being piloted in the hospital to cheer up bored and lonely patients. It stood on my tray table (it was only two or three feet...
At the time of writing, Westminster has just dropped its 'vaccination passport' plans for crowded venues in England, [1] but has rolled out a voluntary vaccination programme for twelve to 15-year-olds. [2] Meanwhile, vaccine passports will be introduced in Scotland from 1 October, [3] and Westminster's ruling that all care...
In December, the High Court ruled against The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, finding that puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones are 'innovative and experimental' treatments, to which it is unlikely that young people would be able to give informed consent. [1] An appeal will be heard later this year. Then...
In March 2020, new temporary legislation was rolled out allowing for women to have Early Medical Abortions (EMA) at up to nine weeks and six days' gestation 'in their own homes, without the need to first attend a hospital or clinic'. [1] CMF and many others have repeatedly raised concerns...
Review by Jennie PollockCMF Associate Head of Public Policy In August, Australia's ABC News reported that the Anglican and Roman Catholic Archbishops of Sydney, Glenn Davies and Anthony Fisher, had raised ethical concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by a team at Oxford University. [1] The vaccine, AZD1222, which is...
We thank God recently for several pieces of good news around assisted suicide. First, the Tynwald (the Isle of Man's Parliament) debated assisted suicide and unanimously voted to take no action at the current time. Next, a Westminster Hall debate rejected Christine Jardine's call for a parliamentary review of the law....
In March this year judges gave permission for Keira Bell, and a woman known as 'Mrs A' to bring a case against the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) clinic at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. Bell is a former patient of the clinic. Born female, she had a long-term desire...
We live in a culture in which to age is to fail. We prize education and disregard wisdom. We value potential, celebrate achievement, but despise experience. We pour love, energy and resources into younger generations, helping them grow to independence, and dreading the day when we might become dependent on...
After a breakdown in the power-sharing agreement at Stormont in January 2017, Westminster has been caretaking ever since, and has been in power ever since. In July 2019, MPs at Westminster passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill, designed 'to keep public services running and delay...