The Importance of Pro-Life Unity

In recent times it may have felt to many that the political fractures in society are polarising us on many divisive issues. This is reaffirmed when arising matters cause severe disagreements, personal grudges against one another, or self-proclaimed career and life goals are disintegrated by the actions of another. Arguably, human nature, selfishness and the fall of man play a key role in any political and social decision-making thought process. However, from what I have witnessed in several successful political campaigns, these flaws can be dealt with by all participants in a movement working proactively together and putting personal goals aside. 

In Scotland in 2014, Unionists united to prevent Scottish Independence, to many individuals’ detriment. In 2016, Eurosceptics united to achieve Brexit. After roughly 50 years of the abortion ‘rights’ regime that was Roe v. Wade, American pro-lifers united gradually to abolish its flawed legal precedent. Although there is still much to do in the post-Roe USA and still many imperfections, the decision came as what I believe to be a necessity for European nations’ pro-life movements to adopt: unity. Just imagine the grin on the oppositions’ faces when they see division.

The end goal for the universal pro-life movement is to enshrine the right to life into law from conception to natural death in every corner of the globe, with all of its necessary supporting mechanisms. This is easier said than done. I share this inspiration today as an activist who has witnessed organisations and individuals point fingers at each other behind closed doors or refuse to work with each other, for reasons including financial priorities, religious denominational spats or even party-political biases. I hope today to draw readers to a consensus of working together, even if it means making sacrifices. Afterall, we have had our right to life granted to us. 

Firstly, a key step towards working fruitfully together is by diversifying one’s activism. For example, joining a local pro-life branch or organisation. This can be the first step to entering a circle and gaining friendly contacts. Then, when possible, attend as many pro-life conferences as possible. Volunteer in pro-life initiatives from street apologetics to sorting baby clothes in a crisis pregnancy centre. Volunteering is essential to the pro-life cause because it prevents complacency. Inspired by my mother, try to prioritise, in a socio-economic context, raising substantial amounts of money via charitable causes and donate directly to supporting young parents, families and their children – this is where authentic social and economic ‘progress’ is made, by empowering families. It also means one’s donation won’t be wasted or caught up in excessive bureaucratic costs, because you know it’s going directly towards an honourable cause. 

Another important step is to also get involved in the largest or most prominent pro-life political movement or party in your country. It may sound like a lot, but spreading it out across the calendar relieves any burden or clashes for me personally. If at any stage, a larger pro-life political movement enters the realm, join them! Your previous experience in pro-life politics is invaluable to new and developing movements who may be new to the brutal frontline fight, or lack a clear path to election to public office. 

Some advice to the British political pro-life movements is to expand on policy further so that the average citizen, who may not have thought about abortion, is able to develop a clear grasp of why pro-life values matter in the realms of society and the economy. Single issue politics in Scotland, and elsewhere, does not always work. This also means that underlying positions, whether personal, theological or ideological, can be developed in a way to adopt the pro-life position. For example, as a staunch Roman Catholic, I have made progress in working with those who disagree with the Church on theology like Evangelical Protestants, to advance pro-life causes, and at no point have I ever conceded or betrayed my Faith by taking an arguably untenable position. Furthermore, my stance on the British Union may be slightly different to my colleagues’ opinions, but we all agree that constitutional affairs in a Scottish or British context, is a secondary issue to fighting for life and fiscal support for families. 

Unfortunately, I have witnessed many complain about the woeful legislation that the pro-abortion and secularist leaning lobby in the UK are proposing, but are nowhere to be seen at pro-life political activity or conferences. Vice versa for pro-life political groups here, complaining about other organisations lack of support for them, but have not yet built up a professional and electable strategy. If electability is an issue due to inexperience, organisations should work to assist each other in places where their optimum pro-life selling point is lacking. If charitable status or pleasing donors obstructs this, which holds more value? financial targets or innocent human life? At this crucial turning point in the pro-life cause, we need more volunteers across all fronts.

It was once me complaining about the laws in all honesty, when I was around fifteen years of age. This was until I was inspired into action when I realised that pro-lifers, all organisations included, have an obligation to work together on the social, political and economic fronts. Thanks to the inspiring support from a pro-life organisation at university, I was able to translate this into political activism in addition to previous pro-life works.  I was also recently shared advice by a politician in Scotland that lobbying them in person with real world experiences surrounding abortion or assisted suicide (or any issue) is much more powerful than behind a computer screen or forwarding a scripted email. 

For readers in the United States, where the pro-life movement has expanded enough to influence legislation directly and is well-funded, even creating essential jobs; keep going. Reflecting on US Vice President JD Vance’s remarks in January to crowds at the 2026 March for Life, I encourage all organisations in the UK and beyond, where the political establishment continues to be indifferent to voiceless unborn children, to “…have open conversations how best to use our political system to advance life…”. Vance, of course may have his flaws, hence why pro-life Americans so gallantly keep fighting for legislation to ban the abortion pill and protect life. Therefore, it is vital in places with even more flaws, to come together to work fruitfully to build a culture, an economy, a society and a political system that promotes and protects life. I am happy to work and volunteer with anyone to make this happen.