UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has described the Labour Party's proposed ban on conversion therapy as "unworkable" and a "waste of time," asserting that existing legislation already provides protections against abuse and discrimination. The ban aims to shield gay and transgender individuals from attempts to alter their sexuality or gender identity.
Badenoch, speaking at a defence rally on board HMS Wellington, criticized the Labour government, calling it a "student union government" prone to implementing "silly ideas." She expressed concern that the proposed law could lead to parents being arrested for their parenting choices. "I looked at this bill when we were in government. It is unworkable," Badenoch stated. "The laws are already in place. The laws are already in place." She believes the legislation will only serve to "confuse and complicate" matters, making people afraid to speak truthfully with their children.
Her comments follow a report by Policy Exchange, co-authored by former equalities watchdog Baroness Falkner, which warned that the new law could result in the prosecution of children and parents. The report suggested that the bill lacks a threshold for abusiveness and a defense of reasonableness, potentially criminalizing common family interactions as "psychological or emotional pressure." It also posited that parents could face up to five years in prison for discouraging a child's transition, refusing to fund gender surgery, or failing to use preferred names and pronouns.
Downing Street, however, maintained that the draft legislation would not affect "regular parenting" or prevent "open, exploratory or challenging conversations." A spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated that LGBT+ individuals should never suffer coercion or abuse and that the government is committed to ending conversion practices.
Questions have also been raised about the composition of the joint committee tasked with scrutinizing the draft bill. The committee is chaired by Labour MP Alex Barros-Curtis, who previously served as Labour's Executive Director of Legal Affairs and was 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. Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield expressed surprise at Barros-Curtis chairing a committee on issues related to contested beliefs, given his prior role in investigating party members, particularly women with gender-critical views.
A spokesperson for the bill committee asserted that members were appointed by both Houses to ensure a balanced and detailed scrutiny of the draft bill, with a range of views expected to be represented to propose amendments for the best possible legislation.