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Labour Opens Door Ban Cousin Marriage

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Banning cousin marriage wont make it disappear

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DAVID MARCUS: UK's promotion of first-cousin marriage at odds with Western culture

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Banning first cousin marriage would be eugenic and ineffective

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Should you be allowed to marry your cousin?

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Labour finally considers backing Bill to ban cousin marriage

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Spiked

Why is the NHS praising cousin marriage?

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The U.K. Ministry of Justice has said it will examine whether legislation is "the best solution" to address first-cousin marriage, following the introduction of the First Cousins (Prohibited Relationships) Bill into the House of Commons by Shadow Health Minister Dr. Luke Evans last month.

The U.K. Ministry of Justice has said it will examine whether legislation is "the best solution" to address first-cousin marriage, following the introduction of the First Cousins (Prohibited Relationships) Bill into the House of Commons by Shadow Health Minister Dr. Luke Evans last month.

In December 2025, Conservative MP Richard Holden introduced a private member's bill proposing a first-cousin marriage ban. However, the legislation was blocked by the previous Starmer government.

Guardian

In December 2025, Conservative MP Richard Holden introduced a private member's bill proposing a first-cousin marriage ban. However, the legislation was blocked by the previous Starmer government.

Estimates show that children of consanguineous marriages have double the chance of genetic disorders compared to non-related parents. First-cousin marriage had been banned in England until the country broke away from the Catholic Church in the 16th century.

Estimates show that children of consanguineous marriages have double the chance of genetic disorders compared to non-related parents. First-cousin marriage had been banned in England until the country broke away from the Catholic Church in the 16th century.

First-cousin unions account for fewer than 1% of marriages nationwide. However, estimates for Pakistani-heritage or Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in the U.K. range from 35% to 60%, whilst one paper estimates first-cousin marriage in Irish traveller communities sits at 20% to 40%.

First-cousin unions account for fewer than 1% of marriages nationwide. However, estimates for Pakistani-heritage or Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in the U.K. range from 35% to 60%, whilst one paper estimates first-cousin marriage in Irish traveller communities sits at 20% to 40%.

Evans's First Cousins (Prohibited Relationships) Bill, introduced last month, is not expected to return to the House of Commons for a second reading until at least Jan. 15, with the prospective legislation covering marriages, civil partnerships and sexual relationships.

Evans's First Cousins (Prohibited Relationships) Bill, introduced last month, is not expected to return to the House of Commons for a second reading until at least Jan. 15, with the prospective legislation covering marriages, civil partnerships and sexual relationships.

In April 2025, a YouGov poll found that 77% of Britons believed first-cousin marriage should be illegal, compared to 9% who thought it should be legal and 14% who were unsure.

In April 2025, a YouGov poll found that 77% of Britons believed first-cousin marriage should be illegal, compared to 9% who thought it should be legal and 14% who were unsure.

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Reports said Labour is now considering a ban on first-cousin marriage. Other coverage said the Ministry of Justice would assess whether legislation is the best response to concerns about the practice.

GB Politics

Reports said Labour is now considering a ban on first-cousin marriage. Other coverage said the Ministry of Justice would assess whether legislation is the best response to concerns about the practice.

Evans's First Cousins (Prohibited Relationships) Bill is not expected to return to the House of Commons for a second reading until at least Jan. 15, and he says it would cover marriages, civil partnerships and sexual relationships.

Evans's First Cousins (Prohibited Relationships) Bill is not expected to return to the House of Commons for a second reading until at least Jan. 15, and he says it would cover marriages, civil partnerships and sexual relationships.

In December, Richard Holden introduced a private member's bill proposing a first-cousin marriage ban; parliamentary text named it the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill and said it would extend to England and Wales.

In December, Richard Holden introduced a private member's bill proposing a first-cousin marriage ban; parliamentary text named it the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill and said it would extend to England and Wales.

Medical evidence cited in the debate says children of consanguineous parents face a relatively higher birth-defect risk; one doctor's letter said the absolute increase remains low, while spiked cited NHS figures of 4% to 6% versus 2% to 3% generally.

Medical evidence cited in the debate says children of consanguineous parents face a relatively higher birth-defect risk; one doctor's letter said the absolute increase remains low, while spiked cited NHS figures of 4% to 6% versus 2% to 3% generally.

Separate NHS materials drew scrutiny after referring to potential benefits of first-cousin marriage; the NHS deleted a genomics article and later told The Independent it was investigating maternity training wording on related parents.

Separate NHS materials drew scrutiny after referring to potential benefits of first-cousin marriage; the NHS deleted a genomics article and later told The Independent it was investigating maternity training wording on related parents.

First-cousin unions account for fewer than 1% of marriages nationwide, while estimates for Pakistani-heritage or Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in the UK range from 35% to 60%; one paper put Irish traveller communities at 20% to 40%.

First-cousin unions account for fewer than 1% of marriages nationwide, while estimates for Pakistani-heritage or Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in the UK range from 35% to 60%; one paper put Irish traveller communities at 20% to 40%.

UK: Labour Considers Banning First-Cousin Marriage

UK: Labour Considers BanBanning on First-Cousin Marriage

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UK: Labour Considers Banning First-Cousin Marriage

UK: Labour Considers BanBanning on First-Cousin Marriage

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