Nikki Haley secured loud applause as she used the third Republican debate to call for a ‘consensus’ and civility in the key election debate over abortion.

The former South Carolina governor said she would not commit to a specific time limit and wanted it left to individual states to decide.

She said, if a federal ban was pursued by Republicans it should be a ‘realistic’ one that could be passed by Congress.

Haley said: ‘I would support anything that would pass (Congress) because that’s what would save more babies and support more moms, but you have to be honest with the American people.

‘What I say to the American people is let’s bring people together and see what we can agree on.

Nikki Haley won support from the crowd with her answer on abortion 

Haley with the four other candidates debating

‘(As president) I would sign anything that would get 60 Senate votes. But don’t make the American people think you’re going to push something on them when you don’t even have the votes in the Senate.’

She added: ‘This is a personal issue for every woman, and every man. So, when we’re looking at this, there are some states that are going more on the pro-life side. I welcome that.’

‘There are some states that are going more on the pro-choice side. I wish that wasn’t the case, but the people decided. We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore.’

Haley was pressed by fellow candidate Tim Scott, the pro-life South Carolina senator, to support a 15-week ban, but she did not.

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Haley was challenged on abortion by Tim Scott (R)

Nikki Haley expanding on her position on abortion after the debate

The debate came a day after Republicans lost control of the legislature in Virginia, where a key plank of the party’s campaign had been a proposed 15-week ban.

Also on Tuesday voters in Ohio, which voted for Donald Trump in 2020, approved a state limit beyond 20 weeks.

Speaking after the debate Haley said Republicans should not judge Democrats for being pro-choice.

And she repeated that ‘realistic’ compromises must be found.

She said: ‘I think that fellas deal with this differently. I look at it from the perspective that this is personal for every woman, and every man, in America.

‘I had a roommate who was raped in college. I wouldn’t wish on anyone what she went through, wondering if she was pregnant.’

‘What I will tell you is I’m totally pro-life in every way whatsoever. I just don’t judge someone for being pro-choice.’

Haley added; ‘I don’t want to see this divide. Women don’t want to be divided over this. I want this in the hands of the people.’

‘But if you’re here to talk about a federal bill, at least be honest with the American people. You’ve got Republicans trying to push something that’s not even realistic.’