UK Govt in talks with Holyrood officials about ‘conversion therapy’ ban

The UK Government has confirmed it is in discussion with Holyrood officials about its upcoming legislation on ‘conversion therapy’.

During Women and Equalities questions, Scottish Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine asked for reassurance from the Minister that the legislation will be UK-wide, “given the amount of fear and anxiety that there is among the trans community in this country”.

Dame Nia Griffith confirmed that Westminster is “in talks with officials in the Scottish Parliament” about its plans to bring forward “a full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”.

Dame Nia reiterated the Government’s pledge to publish a Bill in draft form this parliamentary session, adding: “we will be bringing this legislation forward very soon”.

The parliamentary session runs until the next King’s Speech, which ordinarily takes place in November. However, there are rumours the session could be extended until May 2026—meaning the Government has more time to publish its draft Bill.

Mrs Jardine’s question follows on from the Scottish Government’s disastrous handling of its own deeply unpopular plans and subsequent decision to hand responsibility for a Bill to Westminster. Under the Scottish Government’s tyrannical proposals, ordinary parents and Christians could have faced jail time for not affirming LGBT orthodoxy in their prayers and conversations.

While the UK Government has made positive noises about wanting to respect the role of parents, religious leaders, etc., in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, the very fact it has yet to publish its draft Bill—a year on from promising it, and after years of civil servants working on the issue—shows just how difficult a task it really is.

Independent legal advice from multiple KCs is clear there is no way of introducing a ‘full, trans-inclusive ban’ without infringing on the fundamental liberties of ordinary people. There are already an array of laws dealing with abuse. Broadening the current criminal law will only see innocent actions like prayer and parental conversations brought within its scope.

The UK Government would do well to learn from jurisdictions like Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands, which, after years of trying to legislate, have concluded that not only is a new criminal law in this area not needed, it’s dangerous. You can read more about this in The Christian Institute’s booklet ‘Proving Tricky’.