Christian Wakeford MP says ‘conversion therapy’ needs ‘stamping out across society’
Christian Wakeford, Labour MP for Bury South, has once again spoken out about the need to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ for all LGBTQIA+ people.
Last month, MPs debated how such practices could be outlawed, as well as what the legislation would entail in effect. The discussion swiftly descended into discourse surrounding gender-affirming care, though Wakeford continuously emphasised that “there is no place” for ‘conversion therapy’ “in any part of society”.
Speaking to GAY TIMES after the debate on 6 December, Wakeford affirmed that a full and comprehensive ban is “more timely than ever”. “We’ve seen hate crime towards the community increase exponentially just this year, so I think it’s incredibly timely that we’re having it,” he said. “But again, it’s the same voices having the same arguments that we’ve had for however many years we’ve been here now.” READ MORE: UK government accused of “frightful negligence” after ‘conversion therapy’ ban excluded from King’s Speech A commitment to banning ‘conversion therapy’ was first made by Theresa May’s administration in 2018, with the exact form the legislation will take being the subject of intense debate in the UK since then.
Boris Johnson’s government made a number of backtracks on promises that had been made, resulting in fear from the LGBTQIA+ community that the legislation would not include protections for all – something that led to thousands protesting outside Downing Street in 2022.
