British parliament votes to legalise abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland if no government in place by October

Major news from the House of Commons.

British MPs have backed a plan to legalise both abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, providing there is still no government in place at Stormont by 21 October. In a meeting in the House of Commons on Tuesday (9 July), MPs backed an amendment which requires the government to extend access to abortion in Northern Ireland. Assembled MPs voted to liberalise the current abortion law via Labour MP Stella Creasy's amendment by 332 votes to 99, a majority of 233. The same-sex marriage amendment legislation, tabled by Labour MP Conor McGinn, was approved by 383 votes to 73, a majority of 310. The BBC reports that Northern Ireland Minister John Penrose said that technical issues mean the government might not be able to deliver on this pledge in the requested timeframe. Reacting to the news, Love Equality Northern Ireland hailed McGinn's efforts. "We did it!" they said via Twitter. "Huge thanks to Conor McGinn, Lord Hayward and all MPs who voted in support of the bill. "LBGT people in Northern Ireland will be waking up a little more equal tomorrow. #LoveWins" https://twitter.com/Love_EqualityNI/status/1148629162749517826