This is one of the most illiberal, invasive and appalling pieces of legislation ever to come before Parliament. The Conversion Practices Bill isn’t about preventing gay children from being abusively coerced into being straight. That is already rightly illegal. It will criminalise well-intentioned conversations between parents and gender-confused children, discussions with therapists, and religious leaders sharing their faith’s teachings with their congregations. A parent could face up to five years in prison simply for trying to dissuade their child from embarking on irreversible, dangerous and life-changing medical pathways before the age of 18. In his letter to the pre-legislative scrutiny committee, the Minister for Equalities attempts to reassure us that the bill respects “freedom of religion and parental rights”. It does no such thing. So much for the Labour Government’s promise to tread more lightly on our lives. It is not the state’s role to dictate what conversations parents can have with their young children around the dinner table. Parents know best — not ministers. Read the letter below 👇