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Borough Freedom Bill

A Bill to enable rights of admission to the freedom of cities or towns to be extended to women; to enable other amendments relating to admission to be made; to confer powers to admit persons as honorary freemen of certain places in the Confederation of the Clinque Ports; and for connected purposes

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

25 April 2008

In Plain English

AI-generated

The Bill would extend the right to admission to the freedom of cities or towns to include women, making ceremonial freedoms gender-neutral. It would also enable further changes to admission rules and give powers to confer honorary freeman status in certain places within the Confederation of the Clinque Ports, along with related provisions.

Key Points

Extends rights of admission to the freedom of cities or towns to include women.
Allows amendments to admissions rules governing freedom of cities or towns.
Empowers authorities to admit people as honorary freemen of places in the Confederation of the Clinque Ports.
Covers connected purposes relating to admission to the freedom and ceremonial honours.

Progress

The bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons, where its general principles are debated before moving to more detailed scrutiny.

Who is affected?

Women who may seek admission to the freedom of cities or townsCivic authorities and town/city councils responsible for granting freedom admissionsPeople who may be admitted as honorary freemen in places within the Confederation of the Clinque PortsResidents of cities and towns affected by changes to admission rules

Generated 21 February 2026

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.