Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle has ruffled a few feathers. Equality campaigners, such as Sophie Waler, the Women's Equality Party leader, are questioning the Prime Minister's choice of Vice Chair for Women.
Maria Caulfield is the Conservative MP in question. Representing Lewes, Caulfield is seen to be anti-choice by many women, since she opposed the decriminalisation of all abortions.
Last year she said that decriminalising abortion would, 'completely reject the rights of the unborn child' and lead to, 'abortions on demand.'
Last March, a proposal almost passed through the House of Commons (it won a vote but ran out of time to progress when the snap election was called), which set to remove the Victorian-era criminal sanctions still in place.
Currently under UK law women can face life imprisonment if they have an abortion that is not signed off by two doctors - if they buy an abortion pill online, for example.
The legislation would have replaced these laws with medical regulation bodies that would manage the medical procedure the same as any other.
Caulfield opposed the bill.
BPAS has been one of the most vocal opposers to Caulfeild's appointment, releasing a statement on their website as well as a set of Tweets.
They explained how new legislation would have helped women - who are often in desperate circumstances - avoid jail time for trying to access a safe procedure.
Actress and campaigner Gillian Anderson has added her voice to the conversation, explaining Caulfield's new role as a, 'huge, monumental, devastating step backwards.'
As did presenter Cathy Newman, Labour MP Stella Creasy and more:
Others argue that Caulfield, an ex-nurse, is in fact stopping sex-selective abortions, as well as coercive abortions.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
