Get involved: Councils can gain access to a suite of Debate Not Hate resources and templates.
Public intimidation only serves to silence democratic voices and deter people from engaging with politics. Councils can send a clear message that this is something they are committed to working on.
How you can get involved
All of the council templates, assets and resources can be accessed by emailing [email protected]
Raising awareness
- Add the Debate Not Hate email banner to your corporate communications during specific times of year, like in the run-up to elections and add the campaign logo to your website to show your support.
- Shout about the campaign on your social media profiles by using the branded social media assets and suggested sample social text.
- Print our Debate Not Hate branded promotional materials (including posters, foamboards and standee) and display them at council events, public meetings, and election events.
Influencing locally and in Westminster
- Suggest to your councillors that the council commits to the Debate Not Hate campaign by passing a council motion and gaining local press coverage. See model motion and template press release if helpful.
- Engage with the local Member of Parliament and/or Minister for Local Government, Simon Hoare MP, to raise awareness of the campaign asks. See template letter if helpful.
- Organisations, including councils, can sign up to our Debate Not Hate public statement calling for a government working group and action plan to tackle this issue. Councils can add their signatures by emailing [email protected] along with their council signatory.
Responding to abuse
- Reach out to your local police force and discuss the Debate Not Hate campaign, asking them to take a preventative approach that accounts for the specific risks that councillors face, as they do with other high-risk individuals, like MPs. Suggest implementing a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families.
- Ensure the council has a clear reporting mechanism which councillors can use to can use to monitor and record incidents of harassment and abuse of councillors and officers.
- Regularly review the safety of staff and councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation, consider available advice on supporting councillors with these issues and take inspiration from the council case studies below.
Stay informed
- Sign up to receive regular updates on our democracy, civility and voluntary sector work.
