Jacob Rees-Mogg: ‘I oppose abortion, even in cases of rape’
The Tory MP tipped to succeed May also says he opposes gay marriage

Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has emerged as a favourite among the party’s grass-roots membership to replace Theresa May as leader, has said he is opposed to abortion in all cases, even incest or rape, and to gay marriage.
The 48-year-old, a practising Roman Catholic, told ITV's Good Morning Britain he follows the church's teaching on abortion because “life is sacrosanct and it begins at the point of conception”.
Asked whether his objection to abortion extended to cases of rape or incest, Rees-Mogg said: “I’m afraid so.” He added that a raped woman has a “right under UK law” to have a termination and said: “I wouldn’t [stop her] because that wouldn’t be the law of the land.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The MP for North East Somerset also said he opposes gay marriage because “marriage is a sacrament and the decision of what is a sacrament lies with the Church not with Parliament”. Referring to his own beliefs, he added: “People are entitled to hold these views.”
A survey of Conservative activists yesterday found that nearly one quarter would like to see Rees-Mogg as leader, says the Daily Mail. Asked by ITV about his ambitions, he again played the suggestion down.
Rees-Mogg's comments provoked an immediate response on Twitter.
Sir Craig Oliver, David Cameron’s former communications chief, said Rees-Mogg’s view would not appeal to young voters and were one reason why Rees-Mogg could not be Tory leader.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
But there was also some support for the Tory MP.
-
Music reviews: Geese, Jeff Tweedy, and Mariah Carey
Feature “Getting Killed,” “Twilight Override,” and “Here for It All”
-
Waiting for Godot
Feature Hudson Theatre, New York City
-
FIRE is catching as people want to leave the traditional workforce
In the spotlight Many are taking steps to leave the workforce sooner than usual
-
Charlie Kirk honored as ‘martyr’ at memorial rally
Speed Read At a service for the slain conservative activist, speakers included President Donald Trump and many top administration officials
-
Can the Lib Dems be a party of government again?
Today's Big Question Leader Ed Davey is urged to drop the stunts and present a serious plan for the country
-
What difference will the 'historic' UK-Germany treaty make?
Today's Big Question Europe's two biggest economies sign first treaty since WWII, underscoring 'triangle alliance' with France amid growing Russian threat and US distance
-
Is the G7 still relevant?
Talking Point Donald Trump's early departure cast a shadow over this week's meeting of the world's major democracies
-
'Gen Z has been priced out of a future, so we invest in the present'
instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Angela Rayner: Labour's next leader?
Today's Big Question A leaked memo has sparked speculation that the deputy PM is positioning herself as the left-of-centre alternative to Keir Starmer
-
Are we entering the post-Brexit era?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer's 'big bet' with his EU reset deal is that 'nobody really cares' about Brexit any more
-
Is Starmer's plan to send migrants overseas Rwanda 2.0?
Today's Big Question Failed asylum seekers could be removed to Balkan nations under new government plans