Rising Threats and Calls for Protection: Survey Reveals One in Five Councillors Face Violence

A survey reveals that 20% of councillors have been threatened with violence or death, according to findings from the Local Government Association. Out of 1,734 councillors who participated, there is a push for the UK government to enact protective measures for local politicians, such as permitting them to conceal their home addresses from the general public.

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Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 1

A new survey reveals that 20% of council members in England and Wales have been subjected to threats of death or violence.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has released new findings, prompting the organization to urge the UK government to increase protections for councillors and other local political leaders.

According to a survey by the Local Government Association, 73% of respondents reported feeling intimidated or encountering abuse over the last year.

Nearly half of the respondents, 49%, reported that they perceived an increase in abuse over the past year.

Out of the 1,734 survey participants, representing 10% of council members across England and Wales, 22% reported experiencing threats of violence while serving in their positions.

Approximately 23% of respondents reported receiving death threats, which represents about 5% of all local officials.

In comparison to last year's 82%, a smaller proportion of councillors, 73%, reported feeling endangered over the past year.

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The Local Government Association (LGA) serves as the principal organization representing local councils across the nation. It advocates for its member councils, offering support and striving to enhance the operations and impact of local government.

The plea is for the UK government to implement reforms to protect local politicians, such as permitting them to withhold their home addresses from public records.

The organization is advocating for the establishment of a continuous governmental entity tasked with overseeing, evaluating, and tackling issues related to the harassment, intimidation, and security of local elected officials and candidates.

Further details: An emotional Speaker admits to prioritizing MPs' welfare, while Angela Rayner avoids public outings due to threats.

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Councillor Marianne Overton, who leads the LGA's civility in public life steering group, commented, "These findings are concerning."

She noted that these issues emphasize the risks to council members' safety and health, and illustrate how aggression and threats can undermine our democratic system by deterring individuals from pursuing public positions and freely discussing important matters.

Ms. Overton emphasized: "It is essential for individuals to represent their communities in a safe and fearless environment."

Negative conduct affects not only the person involved, but also the wider community, diminishing the chances for meaningful discussions on critical community topics. This must come to an end.

"It is crucial for the government to take firm action to prevent high instances of abuse from becoming normalized in public life, and to make sure that councillors are secure and assured while performing their essential duties of representing their communities."

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A representative from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated: "There is no room for violence or intimidation in politics, whether it's on a national or local scale.

Local council members dedicate themselves to serving their communities and they have every right to perform their duties in a safe and secure environment.

"We are committed to diligently addressing the despicable hate and abuse faced by some individuals."

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