Should Edinburgh’s pro-life society be allowed to exist?

Let us know what you think


Recently, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the existence of pro-life societies on university campuses both here in the UK and the US.

The topic is made particularly contentious in light of the recent decrease in funding for sexual health here in the UK and Trump’s abortion policies.

Multiple universities across the country have fought for the ban of such societies, with petitions and other attempts in Liverpool, Newcastle and Cardiff – to name a few. Dundee university managed to ban their pro-life society from having a stand at the Fresher’s fair. At Strathclyde, the pro-life society was banned in its entirety.

Here at Edinburgh, one currently exists.

EUSA permits the existence of ‘The Life Society’ on the grounds of free representation of views. The Tab spoke to Jess Husbands, the Vice President of Societies and Activities, on the issue:

“We’re aware that within our more than 37,000 membership, there are a wide range of views on abortion and other pro-life issues, as there are on all topics. The Life Society has been through the same approvals processes as any other society, including approval at both Societies and Student Council. We require all our societies to carry out any campaigning activities in a way that respects the views of others.”

The petition started at Liverpool

These measures have split opinion across the country. Those who support the ban cite the societies as misogynistic and damaging. Those who disagree with attempts to ban the societies argue that it is a restriction of their freedom of speech, leading to a lack of diverse ideas on university campuses.

We’d like to hear your opinion on that matter.