Draft Conversion Practices Bill

Lord Sentamu Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

I think I am inclined to agree with the noble Baroness that scrutiny is about challenge. I have no problem with questions being asked. I have no problem in addressing the issues that have been raised this afternoon. I have attempted to give very clear reassurances, as did my honourable friend in the other place, that the Bill will not interfere with the rights of parents, will not impact on the rights of medical people giving advice, et cetera. We are talking about horrendous abuse. The noble Lord, Lord Hayward, knows what I am talking about, because he has heard people tell others about their experience. Serious harm and abuse, that is what we are talking about. We all know that much of that remains hidden and is not talked about because people are afraid to express it. That is why I think it is really important—I come back to my original point about the gaps in the law—that when people understand that what they have suffered is subject to law, is subject to the possibility of prosecution, I think we will find a lot more people coming forward, and that is good for them and it is good for this country.

[Lord Sentamu (CB)]

My Lords, the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Leicester talked about the General Synod in 2017 debating outlawing conversion therapy. I put my head on the block and supported the motion that it should happen because in my book conversion is to make the person whole but not to oppress them. It is not to put your ideas on to them. Why has “conversion therapy” been taken out and replaced with “conversion practice”? When you read the first clause of the Bill, which defines these conversion practices, you have to reorientate yourself about what is being talked about. Why has “conversion therapy” not been used? We should be committed to the scrutiny of the legislation and all play our part in making sure that it arrives in a better place than it is at the moment.

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

I thank the noble and right reverend Lord for his question and sort of agree with him. I have tried to be clear that the Bill criminalises abusive, harmful acts that are intended to change a person’s sexual orientation or transgender identity. That is what it is intended to do. Like my honourable friend in the other place, I welcome questions. I am not fearful of challenge. That is why we have put forward a very clear programme of pre-legislative scrutiny. It is an opportunity for these issues to be properly addressed.