The Conservatives are mulling proposals to ban cousin marriage in the UK in a bid to enhance “social cohesion” across the country.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch announced that the practice, which occurs frequently within certain British Pakistani communities, is “reinforcing separatism”.
Marrying a first cousin remains legal in the UK, but the once-uncommon custom has become increasingly prominent following successive waves of immigration from the subcontinent.
Data from several inner-city Bradford wards revealed that nearly half of Pakistani mothers are wed to first or second cousins.
Medical experts have linked consanguineous marriages to elevated risks of congenital abnormalities and hereditary disorders, including cystic fibrosis.
The NHS has previously stated that worries about genetic diseases are “unwarranted” given that “85 to 90 per cent… do not have affected children.”
Last month, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust advertised a £44,962-a-year role for an Urdu-speaking nurse to support cousins having children together.
Against that backdrop, the Conservatives have launched a “culture and integration” review to develop policies for the upcoming general election.
The Conservatives are considering a ban on cousin marriage
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“British culture and British values matter,” Mrs Badenoch stressed.
Promoting the review, she declared: “We need social cohesion and integration.”
The Tory leader insisted that: “We can’t have people separating into their own communities.”
“And we want to do a huge piece of work that will come up with the best policies that will ensure that we can bring people together,” she told Sky News.
Kemi Badenoch announced that the practice, which occurs frequently within certain British Pakistani communities, is ‘reinforcing separatism’
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Tory MP Richard Holden, who put forward legislation to outlaw the practice in 2024, expressed support for the policy on both medical and societal grounds.
Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Transport Secretary said: “It’s something I’ve been campaigning for for some time, and it builds on work I did in the last parliament to ban virginity testing and so-called hymenoplasty as well, more things which marginalise and attack women.”
“And this is a really important move today, I think Kemi has been very supportive of this for some time.
“The fact that she’s come out now and really thrown her weight behind me on this cause is really important,” he said.
Richard Holden has welcomed Kemi Badenoch’s support in his calls to ban cousin marriage | PA / GB NEWS
The Conservatives’ review will additionally examine whether to prohibit burkas and other face coverings such as the niqab, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and justice spokesman Nick Timothy reportedly backing such measures.
However, Mrs Badenoch expressed doubt about the practicality of enforcement, pointing to stretched police resources.
“I’ve seen that done in France. I’m sceptical about whether it can work… I’m concerned we don’t have enough police officers. Adding things to their plate without increasing their number is not a proper plan.”
The Tory leader indicated she was more focused on cousin marriage and sharia courts, as well as broader integration matters, including the treatment of women and child-rearing practices.
In January, Mr Holden accused the Labour Government of ‘secretly’ supporting cousin marriage
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It comes as Labour was accused of backing cousin marriage by refusing to support Mr Holden’s Private Members’ Bill seeking to ban the “medieval” practice.
Mr Holden told GB News in January: “If you don’t back first-cousin marriage, you can just say so… But Labour do back first-cousin marriage, and they’re trying to hide their secretive support for the practice.
“It is an issue bound up with serious health implications, closed communities, and the isolation of the vulnerable.
“I am appalled, but sadly not surprised, that Labour is once again turning a blind eye to the issue and allowing it to be kicked into the long grass rather than taking a genuine stand or even explaining why they continue to back first-cousin marriage in the UK.”