Debate Not Hate group leaders' statement

It’s widely accepted that being active in politics involves some knocks – the rough-and-tumble of debating policy, election campaigning, and delivering for constituents is not without its more challenging moments. Councils are operating in extremely challenging circumstances, often entailing hard decisions around services and – understandably – emotions can run high as people voice their feelings on matters that are close to them.  

But far too often, discussions that should be about disagreeing well and engaging across the divide in opinion can become about intimidation and abuse designed to silence others. 

This is totally unacceptable in our democracy – worse still, it actively harms it, deterring people from wanting to get involved in politics and serving their communities. 

As the latest survey of the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign shows, too many councillors are still experiencing abuse and intimidation. The results are sobering.  

More than a fifth of councillors have received a death threat or a threat of violence in their time in their role. And nearly three quarters (73 per cent) have received abuse or intimidation in the past year, with around half (49 per cent) saying they feel abuse has got worse in the past 12 months.  

This issue is not something that is simply ‘left at the office’ – one in 10 councillors had someone attend their home in a way that they considered intimidating or inappropriate, and 43 per cent had requested to withhold their home address from the public due to safety concerns. 10 per cent had experienced a threat of damage to their property, and 5 per cent had experienced actual damage to property.   

This is wholly unacceptable. It is particularly concerning that so many are having to deal with this at their own home. 

People must be able to represent their communities without fearing for themselves or their families. 

This behaviour is not just harmful to the individual, it is corrosive to public life and democratic participation. Not only do people on the receiving end of this abuse feel worried for themselves or their loved ones, but this sort of issue diverts attention away from where it’s best spent – serving communities. More time having to deal with threats to safety is less time working to make an area a better place to live. 

We may have different views on how to achieve the best for our communities, but we are united in the belief that no one should face this sort of abuse for serving in public office. Debate Not Hate is not just a slogan, it’s an ideal for us to hold to, and in doing so we work towards not just greater civility in public life but also better outcomes for our communities.