Richard Younger-Ross

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Richard Younger-Ross was the Liberal Democrat MP for Teignbridge from 2001 until the 2010 general election when, following boundary changes, he stood unsuccessfully for election in Newton Abbot.

Contents 1 Abortion 2 Homeopathy 3 Religion 3.1 Faith-based Rights 3.2 Atheist Bus Campaign 3.3 Faith based Adoption Agencies 4 Libel Law Reform 5 References 6 External Links

Abortion

In May 2008 in the abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (now Act), Richard Younger-Ross voted for the abortion time limit to be lowered to 20 weeks against scientific and medical consensus which is currently 24 weeks^[1]. After four separate parliamentary votes on varying time limits, the majority of MPs voted to keep the abortion time limit at 24 weeks, in keeping with scientific and medical consensus, hence no abortion amendments were added to the bill.

Homeopathy

Younger-Ross signed the March 2007 Early Day Motion 1240 calling for the positive recognition of NHS homeopathic hospitals^[2].

Religion

Faith-based Rights

Younger-Ross is a Roman Catholic. In 2007, Younger-Ross spoke to parliament on the matter of "faith-based rights".^[3]

"Let us consider faith-based rights. Catholics have their views about homosexuality. Not all Christians or even Catholics necessarily share the Church’s view, but let us put that on one side for the moment. People have a right to their faith."

Younger-Ross defended NHS nurse Shirley Chaplin, who campaigned to be allowed to wear a crucifix necklace against NHS regulations about jewellery. According to Younger-Ross, "people should not have to conceal their faith as part of their work in the NHS".^[4]

Atheist Bus Campaign

Following the adverts bought by the Atheist Bus Campaign on public transport in January 2009, Richard Younger-Ross signed Early Day Motion 424 claiming that the rationale behind the adverts was that non-religious people can be less careful about their lifestyle choices and life's consequences^[5].

Faith based Adoption Agencies

In 2007, Younger-Ross proposed Early Day Motion 742 calling on the government to exclude "faith based" adoption agencies from the Equality Act to avoid such agencies being forced to consider gay couples.^[6] According to Younger-Ross,

"The Catholic Church and others have spent a long time investing in and raising money for adoption facilities. That fundraising enables them to care for the child and family not just up to 16, but for life. It's quite a unique service.

The real danger is that these adoption agencies might be forced to consider gay couples and then religious people will not donate. Then you will end up with no funding.

Gay people will not be able to go these agencies because they won't exist."^[7]

Libel Law Reform

In February 2010, Richard Younger-Ross signed Early Day Motion 423 calling for a reform of the English libel law^[8]. The motion noted that human rights activists, scientists, writers and journalists are currently prevented from publishing, and the public prevented from reading, matters of strong public interest due to the chilling effect of the law.

References

1. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/1045/104502.htm
2. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/1240
3. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070221/halltext/70221h0007.htm
4. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8267705.stm
5. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2008-09/424
6. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/742
7. ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-3576.html/
8. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2009-10/423

External Links

• http://richardyoungerross.org.uk/
• http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/?pid=11345
• http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?id=uk.org.publicwhip/member/1870
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Younger-Ross

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