House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Marriage between First Cousins

18 June 2025 · 2 other contributors · 4,290 words

Opened by Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay

Responding minister: Alex Davies-Jones

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Richard Holden raised concerns about marriage between first cousins in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

Richard Holden highlights historical prohibitions by the Church against first cousin marriages and raises concerns over health, social cohesion, and individual freedoms.
Holden urges the government to consider legislative changes based on public opinion polls showing support for a ban in certain communities.
The minister acknowledges the debate as important but does not commit to specific legislative changes.

Key requests to Government

Holden urges the government to consider legislative changes based on public opinion polls showing support for a ban among certain communities and argues against claims of infringing personal freedom, stating that it perpetuates oppression instead.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay

Richard Holden highlights the issue of first cousin marriages, noting historical prohibitions by the Church and societal concerns over health, social cohesion, and individual freedoms. He mentions that such marriages can be linked to oppressive patriarchal cultures and forced marriage practices.

Other contributors (2)

Alex Davies-Jones Lab Llanelli

Agreed with the concerns regarding first cousin marriages and the need to consider the issue carefully. Emphasised the complexity of creating piecemeal legislation in such a sensitive area.
Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

Committed to bringing the issue forward and acknowledged the right hon. Member's balanced approach, raising concerns about health issues such as the doubling of birth defects in cases of cousin marriages.

Government Response

Alex Davies-Jones

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dame Siobhain. I thank the right hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay (Mr Holden) for securing this important debate... The law has continued to evolve since then; for example, the Children Act 1975 added a prohibition on marriages between adoptive parents and their adopted children...