A BCP councillor has slammed Conservative MPs in Dorset for failing to support an amendment to the Public Order Bill which would see anti-abortion activity banned from outside abortion clinics across the country.

The amendment, which was debated in the House of Commons on Tuesday, was passed with 297 votes for and 110 votes against, meaning that it becomes part of the wider Public Order Bill which will now go to the House of Lords for debate.

Here's how Dorset's MPs voted:

Votes on the amendment:

  • Sir Robert Syms, MP for Poole: Against
  • Michael Tomlinson, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole: Against
  • Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West: Abstained
  • Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East: Abstained
  • Sir Christopher Chope, MP for Christchurch: Against
  • Simon Hoare, MP for North Dorset: For
  • Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset: Abstained
  • Desmond Swayne, MP for New Forest West: Against
  • Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East: Abstained

Councillor Millie Earl, deputy leader of the BCP Lib Dem group, said: “I watched the debate and was so pleased that MPs voted to include buffer zone legislation in the Public Order Bill – this is a big win for women all across the country as no one should be harassed or intimidated when accessing healthcare.

“What I’m struggling to understand is why our MPs failed to support this legislation considering the clear local support for our own buffer zone at Bournemouth’s clinic.

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"The Sister Supporter Petition calling on BCP Council to consult on a buffer zone was signed by thousands of people across all three towns and the subsequent consultation showed local people supported stopping this anti-abortion harassment with a buffer zone.

“Three local MPs voted against the amendment and two didn’t vote at all which begs the question – who are these MPs representing because the residents of BCP could not have been clearer on this issue. You had the chance to represent residents on this and send a clear a message on our behalf, and you blew it.”

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“Although I’m just so relieved that BCP Council tackled this issue head on, many other women across the nation will still face harassment outside clinics. We need national legislation to keep women safe from intimidation and judgement.”

Last week, Councillor Earl, who is campaigning for a national policy on buffer zones having successfully campaigned for a buffer zone locally, wrote to Robert Syms MP for Poole to ask him to support the amendment.

In her letter she said: “Following the decision to implement a buffer zone at Ophir Road, I was quoted in the Echo calling on politicians to take action and prevent harassment becoming a postcode lottery by banning anti-abortion activity outside abortion clinics across the country.

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“As we've experienced here, PSPOs take a long time to implement and require a huge amount of officer time - many councils simply don't have the resource to go through the process despite the need and the political will.

“The national problem of harassment at clinics requires a national solution.”

Currently only five abortion clinics across the country have been granted PSPO powers to implement buffer zones, including the BPAS abortion clinic in Bournemouth.

Councilor Earl said she has yet to receive a response from Robert Syms.