Northern Ireland

Abortion not defining issue in general election, says Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald

Mary Lou McDonald acknowledged abortion was a very difficult issue for people. Picture by Mal McCann
Mary Lou McDonald acknowledged abortion was a very difficult issue for people. Picture by Mal McCann Mary Lou McDonald acknowledged abortion was a very difficult issue for people. Picture by Mal McCann

Abortion will not be a defining issue in the general election, Mary Lou McDonald has said.

The Sinn Féin president said she expected it would be raised from "time to time" on the doorsteps by socially conservative voters unhappy at her party's support of the decriminalisation of terminations in the region.

But she predicted that Brexit would be the key determining factor when people decided who to vote for.

Anti-abortion party Aontú is hoping to pick up support from disaffected Sinn Féin voters in several constituencies on December 12.

Read More: John O'Dowd won't be punished for deputy leader challenge says Mary Lou McDonald

Ms McDonald acknowledged abortion was a very difficult issue for people.

Abortion was decriminalised in the north last month as a consequence of legislation passed at Westminster in the ongoing absence of powersharing.

The British government now has a responsibility to introduce abortion services by next April.

Sinn Féin supports the availability of abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

"I think it's a really difficult issue for people," Ms McDonald told the PA news agency ahead of her weekend party conference.

"It's a rights issue that had to be addressed. And, by the way, it's not uniquely a northern issue, this is an issue that has long loomed large right across Irish society.

"You know I think most people can understand that you can hold your own personal values, and ethic and live your life in accordance with that, which you're perfectly entitled to do.

"But, at the same time, lawmakers and legislation have to capture all society and can't be driven solely by a theological viewpoint.

"I think most people get that, I think even people who do struggle with the issue of reproductive rights and with abortion, I think understand that.

"I think people also understand that this election is a big election and people will weigh up all of the issues and all of the merits and otherwise of the candidates.

"But you see for people who are looking to Sinn Féin I think, and I hope, that the issue of preserving our way of life, preserving Irish agriculture, protecting people's jobs, protecting our peace, I hope that that will define the decisions that are taken.

"That said, I take nothing for granted. I mean, we have to go out and talk to people, we have to listen to people.

"We have to convince people of the merits of our position and our candidates and I would encourage people to come out on the day to use their votes."

Ms McDonald said she did not want to "downplay" the significance of the issue.

"It's a very, very important issue and people feel very strongly but I don't believe it is the defining issue in this election," she said.

The republican leader added: "So yes, it comes up on the doorsteps but I don't want to overstate that either. And any issue that comes up on the doorsteps, the Sinn Féin canvassers and candidates, we will listen, we will explain our position and we'll debate, we'll debate any issue."