Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Badenoch calls Labour’s draft conversion practices ban unworkable
Labour has proposed a ban on conversion practices intended to protect gay and transgender people from efforts to change their sexuality or gender identity.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the draft law unworkable and said it could lead to parents being arrested for how they care for their children.
A study warned the bill could reach ordinary family interactions, including parents discouraging a child from transitioning or not using their preferred name and pronouns.
The study also said the draft lacks a clear threshold for abusive behaviour and could expose parents to prison sentences of up to five years.
The government says regular parenting is not covered and that LGBT+ people should not face coercion or abuse aimed at changing who they are.
The government says successive administrations have backed a ban for nearly a decade, and it is now bringing the legislation forward.
A joint committee is set to scrutinise the draft bill, although questions have been raised about its membership and its chairman has voiced support for the legislation.
Kemi Badenoch called Labour’s draft ban on conversion practices “unworkable” and a “waste of time”.
She said existing laws already protect vulnerable people from abuse and discrimination.
A Policy Exchange report warned the draft could expose parents and children to prosecution.
Downing Street said the draft would not affect regular parenting or prevent open conversations.
- Who
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Labour’s draft ban. Downing Street defended it.
- What
- Badenoch called the proposed legislation unworkable and unnecessary; the Government said it would protect LGBT+ people from coercion and abuse.
- When
- Badenoch made her comments on Tuesday. The article was published on 4 November 2026.
- Where
- Badenoch spoke aboard HMS Wellington at a defence rally in London.
- Why
- Badenoch said existing laws were sufficient and the draft could complicate family conversations. Downing Street said the ban would deliver on a longstanding promise to address conversion practices.
Kemi Badenoch
Downing Street
Purpose and need
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch said the draft was unnecessary because existing laws protect vulnerable people from abuse and discrimination.
Downing Street
The Government said LGBT+ people should not suffer coercion or abuse to change who they are, and that it was delivering on a longstanding promise.
Effect on families
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch warned that parents could be arrested for parenting their children and that people might be afraid to speak openly with them.
Downing Street
Downing Street said the draft would not affect regular parenting or prevent open, exploratory or challenging conversations.
Successive governments had agreed that conversion practices had no place in modern Britain.
Badenoch criticised Labour’s draft at a defence rally aboard HMS Wellington.
The Daily Mail published its report on Badenoch’s remarks and the Government’s response.
- Draft legislation
- Labour’s draft Conversion Practices Bill
- Badenoch’s role
- Conservative Party leader
- Report
- Policy Exchange study co-written by Baroness Falkner
- Maximum sentence cited by report
- Up to five years in jail for parents in some circumstances
- Rally location
- HMS Wellington, London
- Publication date
- 4 November 2026
What people are saying
This is something that's going to mean that parents start getting arrested for parenting their children.
It is unworkable.
LGBT+ people should never, without exception, have to suffer coercion or abuse in an effort to change who they are.
This Government is finally delivering on that promise.