Kemi Badenoch's move towards banning cousin marriage applauded by Richard Holden: 'This is really important!'

The shadow minister described Mrs Badenoch's endorsement as significant for the campaign.

"And this is a really important move today, I think Kemi has been has been very supportive of this for some time. And the fact that she's come out now and really thrown her weight behind me on this cause is really important," he said.

Mr Holden highlighted serious health consequences associated with the practice, particularly when it occurs across multiple generations within families.

The shadow minister pointed to stark differences in marriage patterns between communities. In the general population, approximately one in 500 individuals marry a first cousin.

However, within the British Pakistani community, this figure can reach as high as 70 per cent in certain areas.

"And we know that there are really serious health issues associated with it, particularly when it goes generation after generation after generation," Mr Holden said.

He identified the practice as most prevalent among the British Pakistani Muslim community, especially those with roots in rural Pakistan, while noting it also occurs to a lesser extent within the Irish Traveller community.

Beyond health concerns, Mr Holden raised questions about individual autonomy within affected communities.

He argued that leaving a marriage becomes extraordinarily difficult when doing so means severing ties with one's entire family support network and friendships.

"Who can leave a relationship when leaving the relationship means leaving your entire family support network and your friends as well? And so there's real issues around control and personal freedom there," he stated.

The shadow minister also framed the issue as one of social cohesion, expressing concern about clan structures becoming isolated from wider British society.

He claimed that a majority within the British Pakistani community actually favour a ban but feel unable to challenge community leaders on the matter, adding that the Conservative Party should represent people from all backgrounds.

Mr Holden pointed to international precedents for such legislation, noting that Norway has already implemented a ban on first-cousin marriages.

Sweden and Denmark currently have similar legislation in progress, while numerous American states are also moving to prohibit the practice.

He concluded: "And this should have nothing to do with religion at all.

"This is a cultural thing which certain parts of the British Pakistani community do to control other people within that community, and we've got to stop it."

Mrs Badenoch made the suggestion that she would ban cousin marriage as part of a Tory "culture and integration" review to draw up policies for the next General Election.

She said: "British culture and British values matter. We need social cohesion and integration.

"We can't have people separating into their own communities. And we want to do a huge piece of work that will come up with the best policies that will ensure that we can bring people together."