- Stronger penalties for those who intimidate or harass
election campaigners, helping ensure a safe and open democratic
process
- New measures to deter abuse while upholding the right to free
speech
- Part of wide-ranging reforms to strengthen democratic
engagement and participation making it safer for more people to
stand for public office
People who threaten or intimidate election campaigners will face
tougher sentences under new proposals designed to protect
democratic participation and ensure that no one is discouraged
from standing for public office.
The measures, to be announced later next week, will reinforce the
UK's longstanding commitment to freedom of expression while
introducing clearer consequences for behaviour that crosses the
line into abuse, harassment or intimidation.
Courts will be empowered to impose tougher punishment on
individuals who target candidates, campaigners, elected
representatives, or electoral staff with threatening or hostile
behaviour – whether online or in person.
A new aggravating factor will be introduced for offences
motivated by hostility toward individuals involved in the
democratic process, allowing courts to apply tougher penalties in
such cases.
These changes respond to a concerning rise in abuse, particularly
targeting women and ethnic minority candidates. Electoral
Commission research shows that 55% of candidates in the 2024
General Election experienced some form of abuse or
intimidation.
By protecting individuals from targeted harassment, these reforms
aim to underline the seriousness of seeking to damage our
democracy, and create a more inclusive and resilient democracy –
where everyone can participate freely and safely.
The proposals will be set out in a strategy paper this week as
part of the government's Plan for Change, which outlines a series
of reforms to modernise and safeguard the UK's electoral
system.
Minister for Democracy, , said:
“We want to ensure our democracy is resilient and thriving, that
people are able to engage and participate in our democracy, free
from the fear of harassment and intimidation.
“Harassment and intimidation is completely
unacceptable and having a chilling effect on our democracy.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are taking strong action to
ensure those who do harass and intimidate campaigners,
hardworking election staff, candidates and elected
representatives face the full force of the law.”
This supports ongoing work including through the Defending
Democracy Taskforce, which was given a new mandate by the Prime
Minister to coordinate and drive forward government's response to
the full range of threats to our democracy.
That includes working across government with the police,
parliamentary authorities, and the Electoral Commission to
actively review our levers to tackle the harassment and
intimidation of elected representatives, candidates, and
electoral staff.
Notes to editors:
- We intend to bring these measures forward during this
Parliament.
- Recent research from the Electoral Commission shows a
significant number of candidates in the 2024 elections – 43% of
responding candidates in England at the May 2024 local elections;
55% of responding candidates at the 2024 General Election -
experienced some kind of abuse or intimidation.
- A survey carried out by the Speaker's Conference on the
security of MPs, candidates and elections also found that 52% of
MPs felt unsafe and 49% experienced anxiety or depression due to
threats.
- One-third of MPs considered not seeking re-election, and one
in six contemplated resignation from public office due to these
threats.
