MP's bid to ban 'social gender transitioning' in schools is defeated

Bid to ban ‘social gender transitioning’ in schools is narrowly killed off by MPs despite backing from 25 Tories

• Reclaim Party MP Andrew Bridgen fails with his proposals for new legislation

A bid to ban the promotion or discussion of gender transitioning in schools was defeated in the House of Commons today despite being backed by 25 Tory MPs.

Reclaim Party MP Andrew Bridgen, who was kicked out of the Conservatives for comparing Covid vaccines to the Holocaust, failed with his proposals for new laws.

He had attempted to use a 10-minute rule motion to introduce a bill on gender and parental rights in schools to the Commons.

Mr Bridgen – branded a ‘conspiracy theorist’ by critics – said his proposed bill would ‘prohibit the promotion of social transition practices in schools’.

It would also require schools to inform parents ‘if their child has indicated an intention to pursue or has commenced social transition’ and give parents the right to access information about sex education lessons in schools, he added. 

But, in a rare move, a group of MPs forced a vote to block the introduction of his proposed bill.

Labour former minister Sir Ben Bradshaw described Mr Bridgen’s proposals as ‘despicable’.

MPs voted by 40 votes to 34, a majority of six, to block a bill being introduced.

Reclaim Party MP Andrew Bridgen, who was kicked out of the Conservatives for comparing Covid vaccines to the Holocaust, failed with his proposals for new laws.

Labour former minister Sir Ben Bradshaw described Mr Bridgen’s proposals as ‘despicable’ and branded him a ‘conspiracy theorist’

Ten-minute rule motions offer backbench MPs an opportunity to present an idea for legislation to the Commons with a speech lasting no more than 10 minutes.

Even if accepted, such bills are unlikely to then progress further due to a lack of parliamentary time to debate bills tabled by backbench MPs.

Outlining his proposals to the Commons, Mr Bridgen told MPs: ‘Social transition in children will be forbidden.

‘The promotion of social transitioning and the discussion of social transitioning practices would be prohibited from appearing on any aspect of a school curriculum.

‘Where gender identity is taught, it will be taught alongside opposing views to allow for a fair presentation of political beliefs.’

The North West Leicestershire MP added: ‘Under all our noses, members of society, either politically or educationally tasked with helping bring up our children have turned raising the next generation into a science experiment with consequences that break my heart.

‘Social transition practices in school have now become the norm in every classroom in the country.

‘Gender ideology is a political ideology. One that has been effectively promoted in schools, and therefore constitutes political indoctrination.’

As he ended his speech, Mr Bridgen told MPs: ‘Our children are not guinea pigs, it’s high time this House took charge and stopped allowing ideologies passed down from mad scientists which treat them as such.

‘My proposed bill will protect children, reassure parents, and offer certainty to teachers.’

Parliamentary rules allow an MP to make a counter speech to a 10-minute rule motion.

Labour MP and former minister Sir Ben said he and other MPs were ‘appalled’ by Mr Bridgen’s proposals.

He said he felt it important to send a message ‘that this nasty Bill does not represent the views of Parliament’.

Sir Ben told the Commons: ‘Trans and non-binary people have always existed.

‘Gender dysphoria has been in internationally-recognised condition for decades.’

The Exeter MP said he recognised the issue can ‘pose challenges’ to schools, but added: ‘Schools have become very experienced at handling social transitioning with both sensitivity and professionalism.

‘The impact of this bill would turn the clock back to an age in which the very existence of trans and non-binary people, a tiny minority, was simply not acknowledged.’

Sir Ben told MPs there was ‘no evidence that the way schools currently deal with these very small number of cases is not working.’

He condemned Mr Bridgen’s ‘cynical’ proposals as a ‘completely transparent attempt by a conspiracy theorist, who was too right-wing even for today’s Conservative Party, to stoke the culture wars on the backs of our most vulnerable minority and their families’.

‘It is despicable,’ he added.

A group of 25 Tory MPs voted in favour of Mr Bridgen’s proposals, including ex-Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom.

But the plans were defeated with the help of 10 other Conservatives joining Labour MPs in voting against Mr Bridgen’s bill.

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