Abuse of councillors ‘threatens democracy’
COUNCILLORS on the Yorkshire coast have said the intimidation they face is a “threat to local democracy”.
Councillors representing wards in Scarborough and Whitby have reported facing intimidation and harassment because of their work as elected councillors and said they had been forced to take precautions as a result.
Councillors in the area were asked whether they had faced threats. Many reported that they or their colleagues had faced unacceptable behaviour in person and online.
Conservative Coun Derek Bastiman, an executive member of North Yorkshire Council, said he and his wife – who was formerly a councillor – had been threatened.
Labour Coun Rich Maw said he had to have his address removed from the council’s website following online intimidation.
It comes as the Government recently announced a £31m package to counter threats to the security of members of parliament.
Councillors said they were grateful for the support they had received from North Yorkshire Council but when approached for a comment on whether it was concerned about the intimidation members faced and what action it was taking to support them, the authority did not respond.
Coun John Ritchie said he had received letters of intimidation and threats but whilst he was not “personally perturbed” he did think it was “a concern and a threat to local democracy”.
The Local Government Association recently issued updated guidance regarding the safety of councillors and candidates when canvassing or campaigning.
Coun Marianne Overton, chair of the LGA’s Civility in Public Life Programme Steering Group, said that if left unaddressed, abuse and intimidation “risk forcing good councillors out of local politics altogether”. She added: “Abuse and intimidation aimed at local councillors is completely unacceptable and it is deeply concerning that this is a problem that is growing. It is profoundly disturbing to hear of reports of councillors being harassed and intimidated whilst doing their job and it is also clear that some of this behaviour constitutes criminality.”
Coun Rich Maw said that he had been made to feel “vulnerable and uneasy” after facing online harassment following support he had shown to a local anti-racism rally, and he had been offered access to the council’s protection fund to supply personal alarms, such as CCTV.
Speaking about the Government’s £31m package to improve the safety of parliamentarians, Home Office Minister Chris Phillip said that “MPs, councillors, mayors and elected officials need to be able to speak and vote as their consciences and views dictate without any kind of external intimidation”
However, Coun Overton urged the Government to introduce legislation that would allow councils to “proactively withhold councillors’ home addresses from the public”.