Battle lines are being drawn ahead of the first real parliamentary debate on proposed abortion reform.

The Abortion Reform Bill went through the formality of a first reading in the House of Keys on Tuesday.

No debate took place because the first reading is merely a procedural introduction to the legislative process.

The first opportunity MHKs will have to discuss the contents of the bill will be next week at the second reading stage, when the principle of the legislation is debated. A move to send the bill to a select committee is anticipated, but pro-choice campaigners have branded that a delaying tactic.

On Tuesday, many MHKs chose to show their colours by taking part in the #RED4ChoiceIoM campaign, which saw plenty of red ties, tops and even socks and cufflinks on display. The campaign was launched by the pro-choice group Handmaids IoM, who have made a point of taking a non-confrontational, but visual approach to press their case.

In the public gallery, a number of pro-choice supporters, wearing red, sat alongside members of the pro-life group Life IoM, who were wearing distinctive purple tops.

Outside, the controversial Abort67 group continued its campaign of protests with graphic banners purporting to show the results of abortions.

A solo anonymous protestor in a mask decided to take on the group, holding up a banner stating: ’Their views are uglier than their images #RED4choiceIoM.’

Later in the day, MHKs met three medics who were concerned at the provisions within the bill and want it to be sent to a select committee.

Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson’s bill would allow for abortion on request up to 14 weeks, up to 24 weeks for specific medical reasons and after that stage when in extreme circumstances.

It is designed to replace the 1995 Termination of Pregnancy (Medical Defences) Act, which only allows abortions to be carried out in strictly limited circumstances, such as serious risk to the life of the pregnant woman.

Under current law, termination is legal up to 24 weeks where medical practitioners consider there is substantial risk the child will not survive birth, will die shortly afterwards or will be seriously handicapped.

Pregnancies resulting from rape, incest or sexual assault may be terminated up to 12 weeks, but women must provide an affidavit attesting to the cause of the pregnancy. Terminations on social grounds are not allowable.

Reform campaigners have argued the rules are too restrictive and force women to travel off-island for a procedure.

An early draft of Dr Allinson’s bill was published last year and put out to consultation.

It provides that, up to 14 weeks, abortion would be available on request. For 15-24 weeks, it would be available if a woman’s life or health was in danger, or if the developing foetus had a fatal abnormality or a serious developmental defect.

After 24 weeks, termination would be allowed only if a termination was necessary to prevent ’grave permanent injury’ to the pregnant woman or the continued pregnancy posed a greater threat to her life than if the pregnancy was terminated; or if there was a ’substantial risk’ of the baby dying after birth or suffering a serious handicap.

The consultation showed overwhelming support for the reforms, but did lead to some changes in the wording of the bill.

’Out-dated’ terms such as handicapped, defect and abnormality were removed. There were also changes to terms such as ’fatal foetal abnormality’, and an emphasis on the serious nature of foetal anomalies to be considered grounds for later termination.

The alterations include clearer guidelines for counselling, especially in the event of foetal anomaly, so that abortion is not presented as a default position.

A proposed list of social reasons for second trimester terminations, which was criticised as being too prescriptive, was removed.

The bill places strict restrictions on who can prescribe or supply abortions pills, but also makes clear that a pregnant woman seeking to obtain abortion pills would not be committing an offence.