The final part of this mini-series on democracy and independence focuses on raising standards of political conduct and making politics more representative.
Having looked at politicians from the perspective of the public, it’s right to look at things from the other perspective. The sad fact is that abuse of elected representatives is a very real and growing problem – and not just online.
- Ahead of the 2024 local elections in England, 68% of surveyed sitting councillors said intimidation and abuse played a part in whether they would stand again. Furthermore, 22% of those surveyed said abuse had been so severe at some point that specific measures had to be brought in to protect someone’s safety4.
- 76% of surveyed Senedd Members and Welsh MPs said they feel unsafe because of their public role5.
- 31% of MSs and Welsh MPs have considered leaving politics because of abuse.
As democracy relies entirely on people putting their names forward for election, any actions that put people off standing undermines democracy.
As public-facing representatives, there’s a debate to be had over whether politicians and public officials should have greater protection under the law (similar to frontline emergency service workers). That would need to be balanced with the necessity to remain accessible.
The Jo Cox Foundation6 made several recommendations on potential solutions, including but not limited to:
- A single unit dedicated to addressing abuse of elected representatives, including information sharing with relevant agencies.
- Providing the public with a better understanding of what elected representatives do (Part I).
- Social media companies should improve how they respond to online abuse of elected representatives.
- Clear guidance for elected representatives, their staff and families on what types of abuse need to be reported to the police and appropriate security measures.
- Political parties (Part II) should do more to enforce their codes of conduct and review how they offer legal support to candidates and elected members for civil action (i.e. lawsuits) rather than criminal action.
If/when Wales gets powers over criminal justice, it could follow Scotland in barring people convicted of violence towards electoral staff from standing for election. People convicted of violence towards candidates, campaigners and elected representatives can already be disqualified for up to 5 years as part of the (UK) Election Act 2022.
Where’s the line between “challenge” and “abuse”?
The line between legitimate criticism of politicians and abuse has become blurred somewhat; one politician might consider disagreeing with them to be tantamount to abuse, while another won’t think they’re being abused until it’s too late. So where do we draw the line?
Firstly, there’s when things get excessively personal. Non-related things get dragged into discussions, such as appearance, characteristics (race, gender, sexuality etc.) or anything else that isn’t tied to the elected representative’s role. Women might get this just for being a woman in a way that a man wouldn’t.
Secondly, there’s outright impolite abuse in a fly-by attack, usually under the cover of anonymity.
The worst will be threats to the personal safety of an elected member or their staff. Protesting outside an office peacefully doesn’t count, but getting in politicians’ faces – or anything up to and including criminal damage and assault (or worse) – certainly does.
Are we (the public) at risk of being taken advantage of?
All good democrats should sympathise with politicians who get abused just for going about their role.
While survey data and polling demonstrate that elected officials at all levels are abused disproportionately, there have to be limits to that sympathy. If there were no limits, we would be taken advantage of.
Politicians (or other public figures) should not be able to say/do something stupid or inflammatory and then scream “abuse” if they face a backlash for it. Being impolite isn’t abuse in itself. Disagreeing robustly isn’t abuse either (as mentioned in Part I).
What’s become noticeable over the last decade is that elected officials – at all levels – have lost the ability to defend their records and decisions. The reasons why will be complicated.
While all politicians need to have thick skins, there’s a narcissism within politics that means any criticism bruises egos. Some politicians – especially populists – might even like being a martyr/victim. They actively encourage “abuse” because it gives their supporters the idea that they’re under attack by “the elite” for “speaking their mind”.
Then there’s spin/PR management. Political parties and individual politicians have such a curated public image that they’ll outright refuse to appear “wrong”. Owning their mistakes is a “weakness”. They expect us to take their words and deeds at face value because they’re elected and important, and we’re not.
Some politicians may come from professional backgrounds where they’ve either been in a position of authority (teaching, healthcare, business, managers), or they’ve worked on crafting a message/narrative (law, journalism, third sector, party staff). They might not be used to having their views regularly challenged. So when they do face that, they get overly defensive.
4. Charlie Haynes, BBC News (5th February 2024). “Abuse of councillors and staff putting democracy at risk, says local government groups”. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68167190
5. ITV Wales, Sharp End (31st January 2024). “Threatened with decapitation and burning – shocking abuse faced by Welsh MPs and Senedd members”. Available at: https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-01-31/threatened-with-decapitation-the-shocking-abuse-faced-by-welsh-politicians
6. Jo Cox Civility Commission (24th January 2024). “A Call to Action”. Available at: https://www.jocoxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Jo-Cox-Civility-Commission-report.pdf
