UK Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch Criticises Draft Ban on LGBT Conversion Practices

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch opposed Labour’s draft ban on LGBT conversion practices in London on November 3, 2026. As PinkNews reports, she made the remarks at a defence policy event aboard HMS Wellington.

Badenoch called the draft “unworkable” and said existing laws already protect against abuse and discrimination. She argued that the proposed rules could lead to parents being arrested for bringing up their children and leave families afraid to discuss sex and sexuality.

The prime minister’s spokesperson responded that the draft would not affect ordinary parenting or prevent open, including challenging, conversations with parents, teachers, clinicians and pastoral leaders. The government’s position is that LGBT people must be protected from coercion and abuse intended to change their identity.

The draft, published on June 25, applies to England and Wales. It proposes up to five years in prison for conversion practices intended to change sexual orientation or transgender identity that are abusive and cause serious harm to health, or serious alarm or distress that substantially disrupts daily life. It also provides for court protection orders.

The scrutiny committee’s membership has also drawn criticism. MP Rosie Duffield, a former Labour member, challenged Olivia Bailey’s involvement: Bailey helped draft the document as a junior equalities minister and will now assess her own work. A committee spokesperson said both Houses appoint its members and that a range of views is represented.

The document is undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. Written evidence is being accepted until November 16, 2026.

Uránia previously reported on the October 29 hearings on this draft and the dispute over its implications for parents and teachers.