Conservative Judge Roberts might reverse decisions like legalised abortion

IF confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, Judge Roberts would succeed on the nine-member court retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has long been a swing vote on a court divided narrowly on issues such as abortion, states’ rights and the death penalty.

In making his first nomination to the court, US President George W Bush had an opportunity to expand his conservative agenda and extend it past his presidency.

Justices serve until they retire or die.

The court is the third branch of the US Government and decides on many contentious social issues that divide Americans.

Its ruling on the 1973 Roe vs Wade case opened the way to legalised abortion in the US. In future a conservative dominated bench might reverse that decision.

A president’s nominations to the supreme court can decide the social direction of America for many years to come, hence the possibility of a bitter fight between liberals and conservatives.

Abortion rights groups allege that Roberts is hostile to women’s reproductive freedom.