Topics covered on this page:

• Assisted dying
• Conversion therapies
• EHRC guidance and its impact on trans people

Conversion therapies

Last updated May 2026

I believe strongly that conversion practices are abuse, cause long-lasting harm and have no place in our society. It is appalling that this is not a practice already consigned to the history books, but is rather still one happening today. At its worst extreme, it can include practices such as exorcism, physical violence and food deprivation - however all forms of conversion therapy are by nature unethical and abusive. Being gay or trans is not an illness that needs to be ‘cured’. All LGBT people deserve to live freely and without fear, shame or discrimination.

Therefore, I have welcomed recent assurances from the Government that it is working to bring forward a draft Bill on this issue as soon as it can. I will support unequivocally the Government's measures to deliver a full, trans-inclusive, ban on conversion therapy.

I understand from ministers that the Bill will propose new offences to target acts of conversion practices that are not captured by existing legislation. It will seek to ensure that the law offers protection from these abusive practices, while also preserving the freedom for people, and those supporting them, to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Alongside this, I support the work the Government is doing to strengthen LGBT hate crime laws. I know that, at the moment, many in the trans community in particular are feeling significant levels of anxiety, so this is a welcome step in the right direction.

Assisted Dying

Last updated October 2026

As you may be aware, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed by the House of Commons in June 2025 and then received extensive further scrutiny from the House of Lords. However, the Bill did not complete its scrutiny in the Lords before the prorogation of the 2024-26 session of Parliament in April, and so did not become law.

Following the ballot for Private Members’ Bills for the new session of Parliament, Lauren Edwards MP, who was drawn second, introduced an identical version of the previous Bill. This was debated in Parliament on 11 September.

In the run-up to the Second Reading of the Bill, I received a large number of emails from constituents to tell me or reiterate their opinions on this issue. As on previous occasions where there have been voted on assisted dying, I read these carefully, along with the positions of a variety of experts in related fields.

You may be aware that I was off sick for a few weeks in August/September, which resulted in me having an emergency operation on the day of the vote. Unfortunately, and incredibly frustratingly, this meant I wasn't able to attend this vote. Please believe me when I say that this is not something I did at all lightly. I tried, but was unable, to obtain a proxy vote - the criteria for being allowed to do this are incredibly limited.

MPs, by a margin of 286-270, voted against this Bill at second reading. I know this result will disappoint some constituents and please others. This Bill will no longer progress through Parliament, but I believe it is discussion we need to have as a country and hope we will continue to do so.

EHRC guidance and its impact on trans people

Last updated July 2026

Context and my concerns

I want to be clear: I firmly believe that trans people deserve safety, dignity and respect. Everyone should be able to be themselves and live their lives free from intimidation or abuse.

As I am sure you are now aware, in response to the Supreme Court decision in April 2025 that ruled that sex in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex, the EHRC’s draft updated Code of Practice was laid in Parliament on 21st May. The updated code of practice says single-sex spaces such as toilets and changing rooms must operate on the basis of biological sex in order to be classed as single sex.

At the time of the Supreme Court ruling, I raised my concerns with the Minister for Women and Equalities, which you can read here, and have followed up subsequently.

It is abundantly clear to me that this Code of Practice is unworkable and unclear. I have heard this too from trans people and allies here in Warwick and Leamington. In its current form, I am deeply concerned that this Code of Practice will have a severe impact on trans people, excluding them from spaces, services and associations, often without adequate alternative treatment.

More widely, I have concerns regarding the practical implementation of this guidance. It risks placing a significant burden on businesses, clubs and charities to police their customers or members.

Next steps

Parliament now has 40 days from the date of publication to consider the guidance. Firstly, given the importance of the issue, I strongly believe Parliament should be given the time to properly scrutinise this.

I therefore wrote to the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson MP, to ask for proper parliamentary scrutiny and debate on the matter.

Having had a chance to discuss with with constituents and confirmed that many people shared my immediate scepticism about this guidance, I then wrote again to Bridget Phillipson to request that the Code of Practice is withdrawn. You can read this letter here.

As a Labour MP, I have always been supportive of the party’s commitment to equality and social liberation. I will always fight, both locally and nationally, for increased rights and protections for LGBTQ+ people, and trans people in particular.