Council backs call for action to stop abuse
CHESHIRE East Council has voted to support a campaign calling for a national action plan to address the abuse and intimidation of councillors and candidates.
As reported in last week’s Macclesfield Express a number of councillors from the town have encountered such problems.
Broken Cross and Upton councillor James Barber says he has faced abuse, largely because of his young age, so will not seek re-election.
While Nick Mannion, Macclesfield West and Ivy, has had excrement posted to him and Hurdsfield’s Steve Carter has been abused by phone, social media and on the doorstep.
Others across the borough have also suffered and at a full council meeting on Wednesday, October 19, a vote was made to support the anti-abuse Debate not Hate campaign.
A notice of motion that was debated said: “This council supports the ‘Debate not Hate Campaign’, signs the public statement and calls for a government-convened working group to tackle this issue.”
The campaign, launched by the Local Government Association, aims to raise awareness of the role of councillors, encourage healthy debate and improve support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.
In a joint statement, Cheshire East Council group leaders said: “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.
“It is right that our decisions should be open to scrutiny and challenge. However, we should not tolerate abuse and intimidation in any form.”