Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton on abortion – what the US election 2016 candidates have to say

ABORTION is a highly controversial issue in America and one on which the two main parties rarely find common ground.

While the Republicans, who have a large Christian voting base, strongly oppose abortion - the Democrats are in favour of a woman’s right to choose.

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It is no surprise then that Republican candidate Donald Trump has a ‘pro-life’ stance – however his views on the subject have even managed to cause controversy among conservative voters.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is firmly against the government interfering in what a woman does with her own body - but her views vary for many other liberal politicians.

Let’s take a look at what each candidate has to say on the issue.

What are Donald Trump’s views on abortion?

In a 1999 interview, the New York billionaire, who has previously identified as a Democrat before entering politics, said he was “pro-choice in every respect.”

But since running as a Republican, Trump has changed his views saying he is strongly opposed to abortion.

However some of his comments have led to accusations that he does not understand the issue.

During an interview with host Chris Matthews, Trump was asked if a woman should be punished for having an abortion if the practice was outlawed.

Trump responded saying women should face “some form of punishment.”

This comment was slammed by mainstream conservative pro-life groups who claim they do not advocate punishing women but favour penalising doctors who carry out abortions.

What are Hillary Clinton’s views on abortion?

The former First Lady is strongly in favour of a woman’s right to choose.

However, in the past Clinton has opposed late-pregnancy abortions and voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Act of 2003 while a Senator.

And her views on the issue have not changed drastically since then.

During a Democratic primary debate, Clinton's stance differed slightly from her opponent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders who declared he was "very strongly pro-choice."

Clinton on the other hand said she was in favour of "late-pregnancy regulation that would have exceptions for the life and health of the mother."

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