In the meantime, next June a conservative MP, Ann Winterton, will submit a new law to Parliament, asking that women wanting to have an abortion undergo a number of counselling sessions, meetings with a therapist and one week to reflect upon their decision. According to the MP, who is a member of the pro-life movement, "it is important that women be aware of the devastating effects that an abortion can have on their physical and mental health and of the available options". In addition, the bill of law asks that the doctors who are willing to practise the so-called "social abortion" specify whether it is granted because it is risky for the physical health of the woman or for psychological reasons. Under the applicable UK law, an abortion can be practised if "the pregnancy is risky for the physical or mental health of the woman”. This was the reason behind 95% of the 206,000 abortions practised in the United Kingdom in 2005. Winterton’s motion is supported by the “Alive and kicking campaign”, a coalition of pro-life associations.
