The left wing weekly Socialist Worker reports that hundreds of people opposed the religious extremist and right wing groups that organised last week's "March for Life" against abortion rights.

The counter-event, branded "Stand Up For Choice", was organised by Abortion Rights UK and enjoyed backing from a broad coalition of campaign organisations and trade unions.

During the demonstration, activity centred on a cluster of CBR UK anti-abortion campaigners, who had brought oversized placards featuring graphic images of foetuses, which they described as educational. Those on the pro-choice side encircled the group, maintaining vocal and sustained chants in protest for a number of hours. Among the repeated slogans were "pro-life, that's a lie, you don't care if women die" and "our bodies, our choice".

Protesters condemn threats to abortion access

A protester named Gemma voiced strong fears over future restrictions in Britain, maintaining that abortion should be treated as healthcare and that eliminating safe access would put lives on the line. She noted that pregnancy itself can pose serious dangers, and argued that women in the United States are already suffering preventable, tragic deaths because of restricted healthcare, even in circumstances where a pregnancy has failed. She rejected the label "pro-life" often adopted by anti-abortion campaigners.

Another protester called Jan framed abortion as an industrial rights matter, pointing out that women with financial resources could typically find ways around restrictive laws. She reflected on the 1970s and 1980s efforts to secure pro-choice commitments within unions, and stressed that such work may need repeating if far-right movements keep pushing to control women's bodies.

The main rally also heard repeated warnings about fresh threats to bodily autonomy. Specific concern was directed towards Reform UK, with its leader Nigel Farage having previously dismissed the current 24-week abortion limit as "utterly ludicrous". In addition, James Orr, a senior party figure who left his position as head of policy earlier this week following a corruption controversy, opposes abortion in all circumstances.

Far right and the fight for reproductive rights

Speaking to the crowd, Sophia Beach of Women Against the Far Right identified figures such as Tommy Robinson, Nigel Farage and Prince Andrew as the principal dangers to women and girls. She also drew comparisons to the United States, suggesting that a Reform UK government would mirror Donald Trump's administration, and noted recent polling that placed Andy Burnham level with Nigel Farage.

Northern Ireland also featured prominently in the discussions. Danielle Roberts, representing Alliance for Choice Belfast, highlighted the successful campaign to decriminalise abortion in the region. Nevertheless, she pointed out that around three women are still having to travel each week for procedures which should be available within Northern Ireland itself without charge or complication.

Rosie Kelly-Smith from the NEU education union stressed how the growth of the far right was placing the right to choose under greater attack. She described the notion of forcing a pregnancy on someone who does not want it as misogynistic and hateful, adding that those pursuing such an agenda were seeking control over women's lives and futures. She warned that the outcome could be fatal.

Kelly-Smith also challenged the language used by organisers of the March for Life, saying that their claims of being "pro-life and pro-family" did not match the reality. In her view, the damage caused by restricting abortion was clear, with families left grieving dead sisters, daughters and mothers.

Public opinion data cited at the event indicates that about 90 per cent of people across Britain support the right to choose, a figure that includes an estimated 86 per cent of Reform UK voters. Yet the size of the March for Life rally itself was described as a warning, as it drew hundreds of participants, some of them young, with supporters of the far-right Restore Britain group seen among them. There was a clear sense that the fight to protect abortion rights would require vigilance against future attempts to undo them.