from Christian Concern
Paul Huxley responds to the King’s Speech about the current government’s plans to ban ‘abusive conversion practices’
The King’s Speech has opened up a new Parliamentary session mentioning plans to ban ‘conversion practices’.
The name is misleading. Rugby fly-halves will remain legally free to practise their conversions. Efforts to convert people to Christianity will remain legal, as long as you don’t go anywhere near an abortion centre or hospital.
The King only said that the draft bill would seek to ban “abusive conversion practices”.
The BBC fills in the detail, explaining that a ban would be on measures “intending to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity”.
Today’s statement is nothing new. It repeats Labour’s 2024 manifesto promise and the King’s Speech of that year. It was likewise mentioned in the Queen’s Speeches in 2021 and 2022, meaning only 2023’s edition (when Rishi Sunak was Prime Minister) did not state this intention.
Given that Labour has made no obvious progress in the past two years, it is hard to imagine that the current administration will find the time and willpower to force through this contentious legislation.
Nevertheless, since this promise keeps hanging around like a lethargic vampire, I would like to call any politicians listening to finally drive a stake through its heart.