Debate Not Hate – sign our public statement

Cllrs and MPs sign the statement now

"The intimidation and abuse of councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; it can prevent elected members from representing the communities they serve, deter individuals from standing for election, and undermine public trust in democratic processes. 

Seven in 10 councillors reported experiencing abuse and intimidation over the last 12 months and councillors reported feeling that abuse is becoming more common and increasing in severity.

Debating and disagreeing with one another has always been, and will continue to be, a healthy part of democracy. However, the right engagement matters and abuse and intimidation crosses the line into dangerous territory and has no place in politics. 

We are calling on local government leaders, the Government and relevant partners, like the police, political parties and social media companies to come together through a government convened working group to produce and implement an action plan that addresses the abuse and intimidation of elected members and candidates and ensures their safety while they fulfil their democratic roles.

Over 700 councillors have signed up to the public statement since June 2022.

Organisations and councils can add their signatures by emailing [email protected] 

Signatures

Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair, Local Government Association (LGA)

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, President, Local Government Association 

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Labour Group leader 

Cllr Kevin Bentley, Conservative Group leader

Cllr Joe Harris, Liberal Democrat Group Leader 

Cllr Marianne Overton MBE, Chair of the Civility in Public Life Steering Group

Cllr Keith Stevens, Chair of the National Association of Local Councils

Matt Hawkins, Co-Director of Compassion in Politics

John Austin, Chair of the Association of Democratic Services Officers

Frances Cleland, Chair of the Association of Electoral Administrators

Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils

Elizabeth Taylor, CEO of Employment Related Services Association 

Helen Edwards, President of Lawyers in Local Government

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of Local Government Information Unit

Mark Healey, Founder/CEO of National Hate Crime Awareness Week

Cllr Matthew Hicks, Chair of East of England Local Government Association

Wera Hobhouse MP

Ashford Borough Council 

Ashington Parish Council

Babergh District Council

Bath & North East Somerset Council 

Bassetlaw District Council 

Brighton and Hove City Council

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

Canterbury City Council

Chard Town Council

Central Bedfordshire Council 

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Croydon Council

Cotswold District Council

Cornwall Council

Coventry City Council’s Ethics Committee

Devon County Council

Durham County Council

Elmbridge Borough Council

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

East Riding of Yorkshire Councils

Gloucester City Council

Harlow Council and Harlow Youth Council 

Harborough District Council

Hounslow Borough Council

Huntingdonshire District Council

Isle of Wight Council

King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council

Mid Suffolk District Council

Melton Borough Council

Milton Keynes City Council

North Warwickshire Borough Council

North Northamptonshire 

Old Marston Parish Council

Peterborough City Council

Ribble Borough Council

Rushcliffe Borough Council

Rother District Council

Sevenoaks District Council

Slough Borough Council

St. Helens Borough Council

South Cambridgeshire District Council

South Hams District Council

South Kesteven District Council 

Swindon Borough Council

Sunderland City Council

Torbay Council

Trafford Council

Warrington Borough Council

West Berkshire Council

West Lindsey District Council

West Oxfordshire District Council

West Sussex County Council

Winchester City Council

Worcester City Council