Action to protect councillors from abuse and intimidation

Councillors on Ribble Valley’s Personnel Committee, which handles  issues for borough staff and elected councillors, have backed a recommendation to join the Local Government Association’s ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign.

Seven out of ten councillors across the country have reported experiences of abuse or intimidation in the past year, according to a warning from the Local Government Association (LGA).

This can impact on councillors and their families’ mental and physical health, deter people from entering politics, stop existing councillors standing for re-election, and make aggression in politics appear normal.

In addition, some local councillors are increasingly worried about their safety at public venues or at home. Councillors do not have security or protection that national politicians at Westminster may have.

The new LGA Debate Not Hate campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in  communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support for local politicians who face abuse and threats. Recommendations include action by councils, the police and social media firms. The campaign materials are free for councils to use.

A report for councillors at the Ribble Valley meeting stated: “The LGA is building a picture of the level of abuse and intimidation councillors receive on a daily basis for simply carrying out the role in their community. With the local elections planned for May 2023, the use of this campaign may be timely for internal and external communications.”

Dawn Storey, the council’s head of human resources, told councillors “There is a new package for councils which includes posters, banners to go on emails and advice for individual councillors who may be experiencing abuse or intimidation. There is also information about the rights of political engagement and advice for councillors and others for on-line meetings, such as on Zoom or Teams.

“Over 400 councillors across the country have signed-up to the campaign so far.  The aim is to encourage healthy political debate along with support for local councillors who may be experiencing problems.”

Conservative Coun Stephen Atkinson, leader of Ribble Valley Council, said: “This was raised at the Local Government Association’s conference in Harrogate and some examples were given then.

“We have had some issues here in the Ribble Valley Council. One councillor who is active on social media has had problems, which has been reported to the relevant authorities.

“I think it would help if people who are active on social media had access to the posters, emails banners and information. It would help them to respond to those who are attacking and to diffuse situations.”

He added: “These attacks are often very personal. And they often come from groups with political affiliations outside the mainstream parties, from sub-groups. The attacks can have a profound effect on people, especially if they are vulnerable.

“I am happy to support this. We can get materials for councillors to use and display on social media. This will help diffuse things when they get out-of-hand.”

Conservative Coun Sarah Rainford said: “Could I ask that we also make these packs available for parish councillors too. As councillors, we fall foul of similar abuse, whether we are active on social media or not.”

Committee chairman Conservative Coun Sue Bibby said the support could be discussed at Ribble Valley Council’s parish and town council liaison meetings.

Lib-Dem Coun Donna O’Rourke agreed with the campaign but added: “The only other thing I would suggest is that councillors get their facts and information right. That is where some of the backlash comes from.”

While councillors generally felt the Ribble Valley political scene was a fairly safe environment, Coun Bibby said: “I’m also thinking about the deaths of MPs Jo Cox and David Amess.  Those were terrible events.”

Labour MP Jo Cox was killed near her constituency office in West Yorkshire in 2016 while Conservative MP David Amess was attacked in a church hall in his Essex constituency in 2021.

Back in 1990, a Gloucestershire Lib-Dem county councillor, Andrew Pennington, died from multiple stabbings by an attacker with a sword who had targeted an MP during a surgery meeting. Mr Pennington defended the MP, who was injured but survived. Mr Pennington was posthumously awarded the George Medal for bravery.

The Local Government Association’s recommendations include:

Councils and partners should take greater responsibility for the safety and well-being of councillors and take a proactive approach to preventing and handling abuse and intimidation.

The LGA should continue to gather and share good practice for civility in politics and public life.

Police forces should improve the consistency of responses to abuse and threats against councillors and assess the risks councillors face, as they do with other high-risk individuals such as MPs.

 Social media and internet companies should acknowledge the democratic significance of local politicians and provide better, faster routes for councillors who report abuse and misinformation on-line.

The LGA should work with political parties, election and democratic officers at councils and others to raise awareness of the options available and promote the practice of keeping home addresses private during elections and once a councillor is elected.