40px”>Many inner-city MPs depend on British-Asian votes, while the war in Gaza has made them even more fearful of causing offence. Iqbal Mohamed, who opposed Holden’s bill last week, stood on a pro-Palestine platform in this year’s general election and took the Dewsbury and Batley seat from Labour.
The changing electoral map is the most pressing reason for the Government’s lack of enthusiasm for outlawing cousin marriage. But it’s also rooted in a craven attitude towards “culture”, which is often cover for perpetuating patriarchal practices. Not offending other “cultures”, unfortunately, always comes before the welfare of women and children.
But the UK, it seems, is wedded to a policy of inaction.
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