'Unacceptably broad' – new conversion practices definition

The Government has finally published its long-promised Conversion Practices Bill. Ministers describe the draft legislation as "balanced and targeted" and insist that it is not intended to interfere with religious belief and expression. Yet a careful reading of the bill raises a different question: if existing laws already prohibit abuse, why is this legislation needed at all?

Is new legislation really necessary?

Before considering the detail of the bill, Parliament should ask the same question that should have been answered during the conversion therapy debates of 2021: What evidence demonstrates that new criminal offences are needed?

Five years ago, the Government was unable to establish that existing laws against assault, coercion, harassment and abuse were insufficient. Even the Equality and Human Rights Commission questioned whether there was a sufficient evidential basis for further legislation.