The number of local councillors who have reported feeling at risk
in their role due to rising levels of abuse and intimidation has
increased to a new high in the last year, a new Local Government
Association (LGA) survey has found.
Councillors responded to the survey about their experiences of
abuse and intimidation, with 82 per cent saying they felt at risk
at least some of the time whilst fulfilling their role, up from
73 per cent last year.
The survey, which suggests that abuse against councillors is
getting worse, also found that:
- 54 per cent of councillors have seen abuse aimed at them
increase since they were first elected, with 31 per cent seeing a
sharp increase.
- 81 per cent (8 in 10 councillors) reported having experienced
intimidation and/or abuse in their role as a councillor in the
last year, eight per cent higher than last year.
- Over the last year the number of councillors who said they
experienced abuse frequently has doubled and the number saying
they never experienced abuse reduced from 27 per cent to 19 per
cent.
On the final day of its Annual Conference, the LGA is warning
that a rise in abuse is preventing councillors from representing
the communities they serve, deterring individuals from standing
for election and undermining local democracy.
It is calling on the Government to work with the police to set
out clear and consistent guidance to help address abuse,
intimidation and harassment of councillors. Councils have
warned that current policing approaches are inconsistent,
under-resourced and vary too much from place to place.
A number of respondents also highlighted that the use of social
media has increased the level of abuse aimed at councillors, with
some members of the public behaving in a way online that they
would not do so in person.
Councils are urging the Government to ensure that the experience
of councillors on social media is considered in any new Ofcom
guidance mandated by the Online Safety Bill.
The findings of the survey form part of the LGA’s Debate Not Hate
campaign, launched last year to raise public awareness of the
role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy
debate and improve the support for local politicians facing abuse
and intimidation.
Cllr Marianne Overton, Chair of the LGA’s Civility in Public Life
Steering Group, said:
“Abuse and intimidation aimed at local councillors is completely
unacceptable and it is deeply concerning that this survey
suggests that this is a problem that is growing. If left
unaddressed, it risks forcing good councillors out of local
politics altogether.
“Robust debate and scrutiny are critical parts of a healthy
democracy, ensuring people are able to express their views and
that people in public life are held to account.
“However, there is a clear line between debate and abuse, which
should not be crossed.
“To help tackle this issue, the Government and Ofcom should take
steps to ensure that harmful and abusive behaviour does not
continue unrestricted online as well as working with the police
to develop clearer guidance on tackling the abuse of locally
elected members.”
Notes to editors
- The three-day LGA Annual Conference begins in Bournemouth
runs from Tuesday 4 July to Thursday 6 July. Speakers include
Levelling Up Secretary MP, Labour Leader
Sir MP, Education
Secretary MP and Liberal
Democrat Leader . Visit
our Annual Conference
website to view the full programme. To book your place,
please contact media.office@local.gov.uk
for a media promotion code which you can use to obtain a
complimentary pass.
- The LGA has published a series of Make it Local
briefings setting out how local government can solve
the challenges we face as a nation and radically reset of the
culture of Whitehall.
- 793 councillors in England and Wales responded to the survey,
which was conducted in June 2023.
