Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has strongly criticized Labour's proposed ban on conversion therapy, labeling it as "unworkable" and a "waste of time." She suggested that the legislation, intended to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from attempts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, could inadvertently lead to parents facing arrest for carrying out ordinary parenting tasks.
Badenoch stated that she had reviewed similar legislation during her time as Equalities Minister under the previous Conservative government and found it unnecessary, arguing that existing laws already provide protections against abuse and discrimination for vulnerable people. She expressed concern that the new bill would create confusion and complicate matters, making people "afraid to speak to their children and tell the truth."
Her comments follow a report from Policy Exchange, co-written by former equalities watchdog Baroness Falkner, which claimed the proposed law could lead to parents and children being prosecuted. The report suggested that parents might face up to five years in prison for discouraging a child from transitioning, refusing to fund gender surgery, or failing to use preferred names and pronouns. The study highlighted the absence of a threshold for abusiveness or a defense of reasonableness in the bill, potentially classifying common family interactions as 'psychological or emotional pressure.'
Speaking at a defence rally, Badenoch characterized the Labour government as a "student union Government" that focuses on "silly ideas" rather than improving people's lives. She warned that the legislation would result in "parents start[ing] getting arrested for parenting their children."
Downing Street, however, maintained that the draft legislation "doesn't touch regular parenting" and would not impede "open, exploratory or challenging conversations." Nevertheless, the Prime Minister's spokesman did not rule out the possibility of some parents being affected by the clampdown, reiterating the government's commitment to ensuring LGBT+ individuals are never subjected to coercion or abuse aimed at changing who they are.
Questions have also been raised regarding the composition of the joint committee tasked with scrutinizing the draft Conversion Practices Bill. The committee is chaired by Labour MP Alex Barros-Curtis, who has been praised by the bill's minister for her achievements and urged to expedite the law's passage. Before entering Parliament in 2024, Barros-Curtis served as Labour's Executive Director of Legal Affairs and was previously accused of overseeing investigations into party members critical of gender ideology. Another committee member, Olivia Bailey, drafted the bill as a junior equalities minister and now chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, leading to criticism that she is effectively "marking her own homework."
A third Labour MP on the committee, Danny Beales, commended Bailey for her "hard, relentless and committed work in delivering this comprehensive and inclusive draft Bill." Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield expressed astonishment that Barros-Curtis, given his past role in party investigations, would chair a committee focused on beliefs related to the bill. A spokesperson for the bill committee stated that members were appointed by both Houses to ensure a balanced and thorough scrutiny of the draft bill, with the aim of proposing amendments to improve any subsequent legislation.