The Local Government Association (LGA) has joined forces with the
Electoral Commission and the Foundation to call for no abuse towards candidates at
this set of local elections.
The organisations have urged voters to treat candidates in the
upcoming local elections with dignity and respect and to not
engage in behaviour that may constitute harassment or
intimidation.
The call comes amid concern about the growing levels of abuse and
intimidation aimed towards local councillors which can become
heightened during election campaigns.
Recent LGA research found that three quarters (75 per cent) of
councillors in England and Wales experienced some form of
intimidation or abuse during the 2023 local election campaign.
A survey by the Electoral Commission also revealed that nearly a
quarter (24 per cent) of candidates at the last set of local
elections experienced someone intentionally making them feel
unsafe. 12 per cent of those who experienced harassment reported
this to the police.
The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, is
warning that rising levels of abuse towards local politicians is
a threat to democracy and is potentially putting off good
talented people from becoming councillors.
Levels of abuse and intimidation aimed at councillors have been
increasing, with 82 per cent of councillors feeling personally at
risk in 2023, up 9 per cent from the year before.
This has prompted the LGA to launch its Debate Not Hate campaign
to help to tackle the issue. The campaign aims to raise public
awareness of the role of councillors in their communities,
encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support
for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.
Although the majority of abuse is at a low level, a growing
number of councillors have experienced more severe abuse,
including stalking and threats of violence, some of which has
resulted in criminal prosecutions.
Cllr Marianne Overton, Chair of the LGA's Civility in
Public Life Steering Group, said:
“Being a councillor is one of the most unique and rewarding roles
you can have.
“It's really important that everyone participating in these local
elections are treated with respect, focussing on the debate
itself and free of abuse and intimidation.
“It is profoundly disturbing to hear reports of councillors being
harassed and intimidated whilst doing their job. It cannot become
the norm that councillors need to install CCTV and panic alarms
in their houses to feel safe whilst fulfilling their democratic
duty.
“Anyone, regardless of their background or political affiliation,
should feel safe to become a councillor. We must do all we can to
stamp out abuse from public life and encourage healthy debate if
we are to safeguard the future of our local democracy.”
Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation and Digital
Transformation at the Electoral Commission, said:
“The safety and security of candidates and elected
representatives is of paramount importance, and it should go
without saying that there is no place in a democracy for abuse or
intimidation of those who participate in elections. Yet our
research shows that candidates standing for election experience
abuse, threatening behaviour and intimidation during their
campaigns – both on social media and in person.
“No-one should be dissuaded from running for fear of abuse during
a campaign. It benefits all voters for there to be a wide and
diverse pool of candidates to choose from, so it's important that
candidates feel safe. We will be working with parties and
campaigners ahead of the elections this year to understand their
experiences, ensure they understand how to report abuse and to
discuss the standards of behaviour that all candidates should be
able to expect.”
Su Moore, CEO of the Foundation said:
"Abuse and intimidation of elected politicians is a
threat to democracy in this country. The Civility Commission call to action, published earlier
this year, has a clear set of recommendations that, if
implemented, can make a genuine impact on this serious issue at a
national and local level. We fully support the Local Government
Association's Debate Not Hate campaign, and their call for
respect during the forthcoming election."
Notes to editors
Elections will take place on Thursday 2nd May in 107 councils as
well as combined authority elections in Greater Manchester,
Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley and the West Midlands. There
will also be elections for the London Mayoralty, the Greater
London Authority Assembly and Police and Crime Commissioners.
Voters will be expected to bring a form of identification to be
able to vote. The full list of
accepted ID can be found here.
The LGA produced a toolkit, ‘Seven principles for safer
canvassing: A guide for councillors and candidates' which is
available on the LGA's website.
