Politics · United Kingdom · 6 hrs ago
Report warns Labour's draft conversion practices bill could restrict speech
Labour's draft Conversion Practices Bill aims to ban practices intended to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity in Britain.
A report by think-tank Policy Exchange, co-written by former equality watchdog chair Baroness Falkner, argues the bill's wording is too broad.
It warns that the draft could cover efforts to persuade someone who identifies as neither male nor female, and says this might include people who identify as catgender.
The report also says parents could face prosecution for trying to prevent a child from transitioning, including by refusing to fund gender surgery.
Falkner argues the bill could breach rights to a fair trial, family life, religious belief and free expression; these are criticisms of the draft, not findings by a court.
The report calls for major revisions and a full public consultation before the bill proceeds.
A Policy Exchange report warns that Labour’s draft Conversion Practices Bill could restrict freedom of expression and other rights.
The report says the bill’s broad wording could criminalise attempts to persuade someone that they are not a cat.
It also warns that parents could face prison for trying to dissuade their children from transitioning or refusing to fund gender reassignment.
Baroness Falkner, a co-author and former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, says the draft breaches human rights and needs substantial revision.
The Government says the bill is intended to fill gaps in criminal law.
- Who
- Policy Exchange published the report, co-written by Baroness Falkner, a former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
- What
- The report warns that Labour’s draft Conversion Practices Bill could restrict speech and breach rights.
- When
- The report was published on 2 November 2026.
- Where
- Britain.
- Why
- The bill is intended to outlaw conversion practices; the Government says it would fill gaps in criminal law.
The Government
Policy Exchange report
Purpose of the bill
The Government
The Government says the bill is intended to fill gaps in criminal law.
Policy Exchange report
The report says the draft is broad, unworkable and risks restricting rights.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Report publisher
- Policy Exchange
- Bill
- Labour’s draft Conversion Practices Bill
- Report co-author
- Baroness Falkner
- Publication date
- 2 November 2026
- Potential sentence
- Up to five years in prison for parents, according to the report’s assessment of the draft bill
What people are saying
This draft bill appears oblivious to human rights law in Britain. In current form it breaches numerous rights including the right to a fair trial, the right to a family life, the freedom to hold religious or other beliefs, while curtailing freedom of expression.