A NEW bill aiming to ban conversion therapy is set to hit the House of Commons after the government’s delay in fulfilling its promise.
Backbench MPs from various parties, frustrated with the lack of progress, have collaborated to draft this legislation, exclusively revealed by ITV News yesterday (4).
The bill, set to be introduced this Wednesday (6), seeks to outlaw practices intended to change or suppress a person’s sexuality or transgender identity.
Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle spearheads the bill, gaining support from nine Conservative MPs, including prominent figures like Caroline Nokes and Alicia Kearns.
However, the legislation won’t face a vote until March, posing a potential division within the Conservative Party.
Russell-Moyle said: “Some of the biggest social reforms in this country have happened via Private Members’ Bills. I was overwhelmed with support from all sides of the House for this reform.
“Too many have suffered for too long; we have a responsibility to ensure no one else must suffer from this practice.”
Backbench MPs, having grown impatient, are taking matters into their own hands, crafting a bill likely to receive support from opposition parties.
The government’s previous promises to ban conversion therapy were not fulfilled, leading to this independent initiative.
Conservative MPs remain divided on the issue, with concerns from both religious factions and those apprehensive about the transgender aspect of the bill.
Some worry about unintended consequences, fearing a ban could inadvertently criminalise healthy discussions about gender identity, especially among children.
The bill addresses these concerns by criminalising only practices with a predetermined purpose to change someone. It also emphasises outlawing attempts to pressure someone into becoming transgender.
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