North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire presses PM on Commonwealth LGBT+ laws

In more than half of the Commonwealth’s member countries, a consensual same-sex relationship is still against the law. With leaders about to gather in the Caribbean, a group of MPs led from Cornwall wants that on the table.

North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General, has written a cross-party letter to The Times. It urges the Government to use the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to press for LGBT+ equality.

The meeting takes place in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, from this Sunday (1 November) to Wednesday 4 November.

What the letter asks for

The letter says consensual same-sex relationships are still criminalised in 29 of the Commonwealth’s 56 member states. It says that in parts of the Commonwealth, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or otherwise attracted to someone of the same sex face discrimination and legal restrictions. In some countries they face criminal penalties that could lead to the death penalty.

The signatories call the meeting a chance for the UK Government to show that human rights, equality and human dignity are principles to be upheld in practice.

They want the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to secure a clear commitment from member states to:

• repeal laws criminalising same-sex relations
• uphold the rights of transgender people
• work alongside local civil society to end discrimination against LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth

The letter is dated 28 October and was copied to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.

Who signed it

Alongside Ben, the letter was signed by:

• Layla Moran MP (Oxford West and Abingdon)
• Tom Gordon MP (Harrogate and Knaresborough)
• Clive Betts MP (Sheffield South East)
• Carla Denyer MP (Bristol Central)
• Peter Swallow MP (Bracknell)
• Sarah Dyke MP (Glastonbury and Somerton)
• Jermy Terry MP (South West Norfolk)
• Rachel Taylor MP (North Warwickshire and Bedworth)
• Baroness Barker of Anagach

It follows an Early Day Motion on LGBT rights in the Commonwealth that Ben tabled on the same issue. A number of other MPs have also signed it.

“Silence is not a substitute for leadership”

Ben said: “I’m proud that MPs from across the House have joined me in calling on the Government to use CHOGM to stand up for LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth, where in some countries they face imprisonment, violence and exclusion simply for who they love. This goes far beyond a party-political issue, and I’m thankful to all colleagues who have joined me in this very important call.

“Silence is not a substitute for leadership. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have a very clear opportunity at this meeting to secure real commitments to repeal these laws, and we urge them to take it.”