The death has been announced of Professor Jack Scarisbrick MBE – “a mighty oak has fallen”. 1928-2026.
Jack Scarisbrick’s daughter, Emma, contacted me today with the sad news that her father had died at home at 5.40 am this morning. She and Sarah were with him. In her message, Emma said “a mighty oak has fallen.”
I count it one of the great privileges of my life to have known Jack – a brilliant historian, his powerful intellect and profound compassion were underpinned by remarkable energy and drive.
In charting a path to create a coherent and effective pro life movement – based on an insistence that the lives of a woman and her child both mattered – he redefined and reshaped the arguments around what Jack called “the supreme human rights question.” He was a colossus of the pro life movement.
In 1987, when I drew a high place in the House of Commons ballot for Private Members’ Bills, Jack came to see me.
I was Liberal Chief Whip at the time and, when we discussed the various Bills which I might introduce, he correctly observed that, even though it was then a “conscience” issue, I would pay a high political price, if I decided to tackle the 28 week upper time limit for late abortions: “it will be a hard row to hoe” he said.
But he also promised his total support should I choose to go ahead with a Bill.
The work undertaken by Jack and his wonderful wife Nuala, along with Phyllis Bowman and many others, secured the support of 296 MPs in the Division Lobbies and although it was talked out by opponents the Bill never lost a vote at any stage.
Jack knew that we had to move beyond the description of being “anti abortion.” We had to be pro life – for the woman and her child.
He knew that MPs could only challenge laws ending the life of the child in the womb if we were equally committed to providing practical help for vulnerable women – many of whom were pressurised by society or by men into taking the life of their child. We both regarded every abortion as a defeat and knew there had to be radical alternatives in place.
To give effect to those beliefs Jack and Nuala had in 1970 founded the charity, LIFE – of which I had later readily agreed to become a Patron.
Since its formation, 50 years ago, more than 12,000 vulnerable mothers have been housed through its services. Life’s helpline supports thousands more—around 5,000 women each year—with skilled listening and counselling, delivered in accordance with the highest professional standards
Life currently operates 19 supported houses across the UK, accommodating around 180 vulnerable women each year.
Women who are often between 16 and 25. Women who may have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, disrupted education, broken relationships, or time in care. Women standing at what can feel like a precipice.
In those houses, there is more than a roof. There is trauma-informed, strengths-based support.
Behind these number are thousands of children given a safer start, and thousands of stories rewritten with hope.
These are often the first small step that opens the door to something life-changing.
In 2026, the pressures facing vulnerable women now are complex and often intensified — the cost-of-living crisis, rising homelessness, social isolation, digital misinformation, stretched public services, and growing mental health challenges.
While the context has evolved, the core need for dignity, safety, and non-judgmental support remains unchanged.
Life’s vision is simple yet profound: a world where no one faces pregnancy, or pregnancy loss, alone
This was Jack and Nuala Scarisbrick’s vision – and they turned it into a reality. His abiding legacy will be the lives saved and his legacy will serve as a challenge and rebuke to laws which have led to eleven million abortions in the UK.
His daughter Emma rightly says “a might oak has fallen” – but Jack’s family and friends can draw comfort from the many new shoots and tiny acorns providing evidence of new life.
May Jack now rest in peace and rise in glory.
Jack and Nuala Scarisbrick at a LIFE Conference in Leamington Spa in 1977
