What does a new PM mean for a conversion therapy ban?

This week marks Andy Burnham’s first week in No.10 Downing Street.

While much of the media focus has been on who would secure the top jobs in Government, our attention at Let Us Pray has been on the Equalities brief and who would oversee the Government’s commitment to “a full trans-inclusive” conversion therapy ban.

Bridget Philipson has retained responsibility for Equalities, having previously held the dual brief of Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities.

Under her leadership, it has been Olivia Bailey who has taken the lead on the Government’s work on a conversion therapy ban.

However, Ms Bailey, who introduced the Government’s draft Conversion Practices Bill last month, has announced she’s leaving Government. Her successor is yet to be named. 

For those concerned about the draft Bill’s extraordinary reach, Bailey’s departure could, perhaps, be a welcome development. There are few MPs as zealous about a ban as she is.

When questioned in a recent interview about fears that the legislation is a backdoor attempt to bring in gender self-ID, she airily dismissed the concerns, saying: “I’m not interested in scaremongering.”

She also ruled out any kind of protection for parents, who could face up to five years in prison for refusing to affirm their teenager as the opposite sex.

Where does the PM stand?

Whilst mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham supported a pledge in 2022 to “ending conversion therapy for all members of the LGBTQ+ community”.

He also said that “organisations that support, promote, or facilitate conversion therapy” – or even those who campaign against a ban – should not be able to provide services or receive public funding.

This is all the more astonishing when you consider that the Government’s proposed definition of a ‘conversion practice’ could, in certain circumstances, catch any organisation that rejects LGBT ideology.

Only time will tell whether Mr Burnham recognises the poisoned chalice he has inherited from his predecessor.

A law that risks sending mums and church leaders to prison for innocent conversations is anathema to the vast majority of people.

If the new PM is serious about delivering on the bread-and-butter issues facing the country, he should start by abandoning these divisive plans altogether.