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Young Britons embrace anti-abortion activism
John Alexander, 21, once debated abortion on social media as a teenager in Buckinghamshire. Now, after rediscovering Christianity, he leads a pro-life society at university and draws inspiration from American conservative figures like the late Charlie Kirk.
Faith and US influence drive shift
Analysts and activists tell the BBC that more young Britons are joining the anti-abortion movement, though no single cause explains the trend. Some point to opposition to the Crime and Policing Bill, which decriminalizes abortion in England and Wales, while others cite a resurgence of Christian faith, particularly Catholicism.
A third factor is the growing influence of US anti-abortion groups, which have expanded into the UK. Organizations like 40 Days for Life and Turning Point UK-founded by Kirk-have gained traction among young activists. Kirk's death in 2025 amplified his status as a martyr for some, including Alexander, who called him a "Christian martyr" in a viral TikTok video.
American funding and legal battles
US groups are not only shaping rhetoric but also funding UK anti-abortion efforts. Amnesty International UK found that spending by 25 anti-abortion groups rose 34% between 2020 and 2023, while UK branches of US organizations saw a 46% increase. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which played a role in overturning Roe v. Wade, now channels millions into its UK arm, ADF International.
ADF UK's income surged from £324,000 in 2020 to £1.1 million in 2024, funding legal challenges against UK "buffer zones" around abortion clinics. However, courts have consistently ruled against protesters, including ADF clients like Livia Tossici-Bolt and Adam Smith-Connor, who were convicted for violating buffer zones in Bournemouth.
"Their strategy didn't work in the US for decades, but legal experimentation is a hallmark of how they operate,"
Professor Fiona De Londras, University of Birmingham
Cultural and political barriers
Despite the energy, US-style anti-abortion politics face hurdles in the UK. A 2024 report found 86% of British adults support legal abortion in most cases, compared to 63% in the US. However, support dips among young men: only 46% of British males aged 16-34 back unrestricted access.
Politically, the UK remains firmly pro-choice. No major party in England, Scotland, or Wales campaigned to restrict abortion in the last election, and MPs voted overwhelmingly to decriminalize it in 2025.
A movement in transition
Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, director of March for Life UK, acknowledges American inspiration but insists the UK movement is distinct. "We have a gentler approach," she says. Still, she faces trial in October for silently praying outside a Birmingham clinic-a case backed by ADF UK.
For now, young activists like Alexander and Botha remain a minority. But with fresh funding and fervor, Britain's pro-choice consensus may face its strongest challenge in decades.
