Bridget Phillipson Accuses Kemi Badenoch on LGBT+ Support 2026

Bridget Phillipson, the equalities minister, has accused Kemi Badenoch of having “no interest in supporting LGBT+ people” after the Conservatives withdrew their support for a planned law to ban so-called “conversion therapy”. The remark escalates a political row over LGBT+ rights and the scope of the draft conversion practices bill.

The bill, published in June and now out for consultation, proposes jail sentences of up to five years for abusive attempts to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The Conservatives had previously backed the legislation but removed their support over concerns about how it addresses gender identity.

Why the Conservatives Dropped Support for the Conversion Therapy Ban

The Conservative Party says its decision to withdraw backing stems from worries about the bill’s scope, particularly its treatment of gender identity. The party has not elaborated publicly beyond that, but the move signals a shift in the party’s stance on LGBT+ issues under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership.

Badenoch, who previously served as equalities minister in Conservative governments, had supported the bill in that role. Her current position as party leader appears to have led to a different calculation, one that critics say prioritises cultural battles over protecting vulnerable people.

Badenoch’s Controversial ‘Parenting’ Claim

Asked about the bill last week, Badenoch said it would “mean that parents start getting arrested for parenting their children”. She agreed with a journalist who suggested this could happen if parents refuse to let their child identify as a cat.

Government officials reject that characterisation, arguing the bill sets a high threshold for an offence. To be prosecuted, an act must involve both abuse and serious harm, as well as an attempt to change the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The exchange has fuelled accusations that Badenoch is using hyperbolic examples to undermine the legislation. Phillipson’s comments suggest the government sees the Conservative position as part of a broader pattern of hostility or indifference toward LGBT+ people.

What the Draft Conversion Practices Bill Would Do

The draft bill aims to criminalise practices that seek to change someone’s sexuality or gender identity through abusive means. It carries potential prison sentences of up to five years for those found guilty.

The consultation is intended to gather views on the legislation’s scope and implementation. The government argues the bill is carefully drafted to target serious abuse while protecting legitimate conversations and parenting.

• Up to five years in prison for abusive conversion practices.
• High threshold for offences: requires both abuse and serious harm.
• Consultation open on the draft bill published in June.
• Conservative withdrawal based on concerns about gender identity scope.
• Political row intensifies between government and opposition.

Who Is Affected and Why It Matters

LGBT+ people, particularly young and vulnerable individuals, are the primary focus of the legislation. Conversion practices have been widely condemned by medical and mental health organisations as harmful and ineffective.

The political uncertainty over the bill’s future leaves victims without the legal protections promised. It also signals a broader debate about the role of government in regulating practices that target sexual orientation and gender identity.

What to Watch Next in the Conversion Therapy Debate

The consultation will close later this year, after which the government will decide whether to proceed with the bill. The Conservatives’ position may evolve further as the party seeks to define its stance on social issues under Badenoch.

Phillipson’s remarks are likely to be repeated in parliamentary debates and media appearances. The row also tests the government’s commitment to LGBT+ equality and its ability to pass controversial legislation with a small majority.

As the debate continues, the focus will be on whether the bill can secure enough cross-party support to become law. The Conservatives’ withdrawal makes that harder, but not impossible if public opinion and advocacy groups maintain pressure.

The appointment of Bridget Phillipson as Labour Party chair earlier this year underscored her rising profile in the party. Her current intervention on LGBT+ rights is consistent with that role, and it may help rally support among progressive voters.

For a deeper look at Phillipson’s political trajectory, see our coverage of Andy Burnham appoints Bridget Phillipson as Labour Party chair, which explains how she became a central figure in the party’s leadership. The background to this story is set out in Australia's Progressive Census Finally Counts LGBTQ+ Families. A related thread runs through Kemi Badenoch adapts rhetoric to take on Andy Burnham.

Phillipson has also warned about the normalisation of racism and misogyny in UK politics. That warning, detailed in our report on Bridget Phillipson warns racism and misogyny normalised, shows her willingness to confront hostile political discourse head-on. Earlier coverage in Australia's 2026 Census: LGBTQ+ Families Finally Counted shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Australia's 2026 Census Adds LGBTQ+ Identity Options.

The conversion therapy row is likely to feature in future clashes between Phillipson and Badenoch. As both parties position themselves for the next election, the issue will remain a litmus test for their commitments to equality and free speech. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Kemi Badenoch and the Nasty Party: A Political Analysis. The same theme surfaces in Kemi Badenoch Must Adapt Rhetoric to Challenge Andy Burnham, which takes a different angle.