It’s Strictly Protest Time! Come to a Pro-Choice Demo!
by Lynne Miles // 18 November 2010, 15:57
I've just seen the following from Abortion Rights, and thought it was worth flagging up:
On Thursday 25th November, former Conservative MP, anti-abortion activist and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecombe will be speaking at a fundraiser for anti-choice group 'Right to Life’.Billed as a chance to hear ‘Strictly Sensation’ Widdecombe talk about the challenges facing the anti-abortion movement in Europe, the £50-a-head dinner will take place at Royal Overseas House near the Ritz Hotel in central London and will also include speeches from Labour MP Jim Dobbin and Lib Dem MP John Pugh.
Ms Widdecombe seems keen to exploit her new-found TV fame to further the anti-choice agenda - and her appearance at the fundraiser has already been picked up by the press.
We think it’s time to remind the public about the real Ann Widdecombe - and why we must protect the right to safe, legal abortion.
Abortion Rights will be staging a demo outside the venue, and we want as many of our supporters as possible to join us. So why not come along? All Strictly-related placards welcome!
Date: Thursday 25th November
Start time: 6.30 pm
Location: Royal Overseas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1LR. View mapEmail Abortion Rights if you’re planning to come along or if you need any further information.
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Toni // Posted 18 November 2010 at 17:18
Thanks for this. I hate to see Ann Widdecombe getting new found fame, because her views on women's rights, including abortion, are absolutely chilling. I'm sure many of the people who smile at her heffalumping around on Strictly don't have a clue what she stands for. She's not a national treasure, she's a nightmare.
BookElfLeeds // Posted 19 November 2010 at 09:37
can't be at this protest, but encorage anyone suffering from the dreaded post-abortion syndrome Dorries has been on about recently (http://toomuchtosayformyself.com/) to wear there bells with pride and chant shouts of 'unclean, unclean' in order to warn passes by of their dreadful affliction...
stroppybird // Posted 19 November 2010 at 09:39
I have also publicised this and linked to a post on Pickled Politics that highlights why Widdecombe is not a 'national treasure.'
polly // Posted 20 November 2010 at 10:51
I'm unfamiliar with how this TV programme works. Do members of the public get to vote Widdecombe out?
Hannah // Posted 22 November 2010 at 16:34
BookElfLeeds, good to see someone mentioning Dorries on here. Her presence in government in general - but particularly on the health committee - is worrying, so it's comforting to see that there are other feminists keeping tabs on her activities. Have you read her blog? It's so poorly written and reasoned that I wonder how she manages to keep her constituents' respect.
Bea // Posted 22 November 2010 at 19:24
@ polly
yes, or rather the public vote for who they want to keep in, or 'save'. so it's the public who are keeping Ms Widdecombe in the competition. its the usual phenomenon of the public enjoying and voting for 'the underdog'. agreed that everyone has forgotten what she stands for and sees her as a kind of harmless, amusing curiosity.
RAM Conner // Posted 23 November 2010 at 15:40
A blog about pro-life campaigns in the UK: "Ann Widdecombe and the anti-abortion lobby" http://bit.ly/hYhAZq