LGA survey finds over 80 per cent of councillors suffer intimidation

A new Local Government Association (LGA) survey reports a rise in the number of councillors who feel at risk of abuse and intimidation in their role.

81 per cent of respondents reported having experienced intimidation and/or abuse in their role as a councillor in the last year, eight per cent higher than last year.

The survey 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.

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.

The findings 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 and to improve the support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.

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 therefore urging the Government to ensure this is considered in any new Ofcom guidance mandated by the Online Safety Bill.

Cllr Marianne Overton, Chair of the LGA’s Civility in Public Life Steering Group, said:

“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.”