Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party in the U.K., has recently issued a bold statement. She has said that she would consider banning cousin marriage in the United Kingdom if she becomes prime minister. She argued that her decision could help improve social cohesion and integration.
During her conversation with Sky News and Times Radio, Kemi Badenoch said the proposal is a part of a wider Conservative review into culture and integration ahead of the next general election. The review will examine policies that will strengthen the shared national values.
“British culture and British values matter,” she said. “We need social cohesion and integration. We can’t have people separating into their own communities.”
Cousin marriages are currently legal in the United Kingdom, but they have received massive backlash in recent years. According to the Daily Mail, both studies and public health data from the NHS have shown that such marriages can carry a higher risk of genetic conditions, including disorders like cystic fibrosis. However, the NHS has also stated that 85 to 90 per cent of children born in these unions are not affected.
Kemi Badenoch said she is more inclined towards the social impact of the practice. “I am more concerned about practices like cousin marriage, which are reinforcing separatism,” she said.
Her comments came amid several reports claiming that the practice is still valid in many communities. Research and local data have highlighted higher rates in cities such as Bradford, especially among the British Pakistani population.
𝐊𝐄𝐌𝐈 𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐇 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 — 𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 “𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐌”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced a party “𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯” review that…
— M.A. Rothman (@MichaelARothman) March 30, 2026
British politician Richard Holden also proposed the idea of banning cousin marriage in 2024. He now supports Kemi Badenoch’s idea. He said, “There are real and serious health issues for the children of these marriages. But there are also big issues for society, because it is such a massive barrier to integration outside of family clans,” he stated.
‘I am with Kemi on this!’
Broadcaster Clare Muldoon discusses reports that the Conservatives ‘might outlaw’ cousin marriage if they were elected. pic.twitter.com/uVAnmDplAB
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 30, 2026
Furthermore, he said the issue is rapidly growing over time. “For many decades this was not an issue, because hardly anyone did it. But the increasing prevalence means we do have to deal with it.”
The review will also examine whether to restrict other common practices like face coverings, such as the burka and niqab. Senior conservatives, including Chris Philip and Nick Timothy, are also reportedly supporting the matter.
Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch has also shown signs of caution. She noted enforcement could strain police resources and pointed to challenges seen in countries like France, which has implemented such bans.
