The UK government’s equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has criticized the Conservative Party leadership for withdrawing support for proposed conversion practices legislation. The move comes after the Conservatives reversed their previous backing for a bill designed to criminalize practices aimed at changing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The draft conversion practices bill, published in June, currently undergoes public consultation and would establish potential jail sentences up to five years for abusive attempts to alter sexuality or gender identity that cause serious harm. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has expressed concerns about the bill’s scope, particularly regarding its treatment of gender identity matters. She suggested the legislation could result in parents facing arrest for parenting decisions, though government officials dispute this characterization, arguing the bill establishes a high threshold requiring both abuse and serious harm alongside an intent to change sexual orientation or gender identity.
Phillipson pointed out that Badenoch herself had previously supported conversion practices bans while serving as equalities minister under prior Conservative administrations, noting a longstanding political and international consensus on the issue. The minister characterized the party’s shift as abandoning established principles in pursuit of political positioning, stating the Conservatives have demonstrated they have no interest in supporting LGBT+ people or promoting tolerance.
Conservative responses focused on child safeguarding concerns, citing a Policy Exchange report that raised questions about the bill’s scope regarding non-binary identities and gender exploration. A Conservative spokesperson referenced the case of Keira Bell, a young person who underwent gender-related medical treatments later regretted, arguing the bill could criminalize necessary exploratory conversations before significant medical decisions. The party maintained that proper protections for young LGBT+ individuals require thoughtful support and clinical advice without pressure toward predetermined outcomes.
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