Safety fears over 'toxic' hostility to councillors

More must be done to protect councillors from abuse, according to local government bodies, as those on the frontline of local democracy describe a “truly toxic” political environment where online aggression spills over into real-life behaviour.

- Libby Brooks, Josh Halliday, Jessica Murray

Candidates for council elections on Thursday across the UK have shared their experiences of escalating hostility as the chair of the Local Government Association (LGA), councillor James Jamieson, warned that "an increasing number ... are being subjected to abuse, threats and intimidation both online and in person, undermining the principles of free speech, democratic engagement and debate”.

In Scotland, the local authority umbrella body, Cosla, is working with Police Scotland to develop personal safety briefings for the new cohort of councillors, a move that has been welcomed by Pippa Hadley, who is standing for re-election as a Scottish Green councillor in the Highlands.

Hadley was assaulted on the street by a member of the public last year, who told her she was "a cow who should be shot against a wall”. The man was later charged and received a custodial sentence.

"The whole point of being a local councillor is people know who you are but that also makes you more vulnerable,” said Hadley, who brought a motion to Highland council this spring calling for a personal safety audit for all new members after the 5 May elections.

"People do seem to be more aggressive, partly because of the effects of lockdown. It's as if those online keyboard warriors have slipped into real life.”