Abuse of councillors is growing – they shouldn't have to publish their home addresses
4 min read
Being a councillor is one of the most unique and rewarding roles you can have.
I’m sure councillors can think of a moment when they have had a positive influence on the area they are privileged to represent. Whether it be making a small improvement to a local park to influencing the future direction of your community, councillors are vital to the fabric of our society.
However, we know that sadly instances of abuse and harassment directed at councillors are on the rise. Last year, a survey by the LGA found that eight in ten councillors had experienced abuse or intimidation in 2023, up ten per cent from the year before. 54 per cent of longstanding councillors had seen abuse aimed at them increase since they were first elected, with 31 per cent seeing a sharp increase.
Some of this abuse may be at a low level; occasional unpleasant messages on social media or rude emails. However, there are an alarming number of councillors who have received abuse, harassment or stalking that is so severe that they have had no choice but to involve the police. It is profoundly disturbing to hear of reports of councillors being harassed and intimidated whilst doing their job. It should not become the norm that councillors need to install CCTV and panic alarms in their houses to feel safe whilst fulfilling their democratic duty.
We know that recent international events have sadly heightened tensions in some of our communities. This has resulted in some council meetings being disrupted and some local representatives reporting to us an increase in the level of abuse and threats aimed at them. Due to this, we have held additional personal safety support sessions for councillors and disseminated information about security briefings organised by police forces across the UK.
The LGA is clear that this abuse and intimidation is unacceptable, poses a risk to our democracy, and without concerted action, it risks driving good people out of local government entirely. This is why we have been working hard since 2019 to highlight the rising risk that abuse of councillors represents to our local democracy and what is needed to tackle this complex issue. This has included engaging with the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs Council to improve the protection offered to councillors as well as securing amendments to the Online Safety Bill. We’re pleased the Government have included councillors in plans to provide politicians with a dedicated named police contact for security issues.
However, it is clear that more can be done to address this growing issue. Councillors, unlike MPs, are still often required to have their home address published. We know that this has led to members of the public turning up unannounced at councillors’ homes. We believe this can lead to a councillor’s personal safety being compromised, leaving them and their families feeling distressed and vulnerable. We are urging the Government to introduce legislation that would allow a council to proactively withhold councillors' home addresses from the public register of interests as soon as possible. We think this simple, practical step would go a long way in protecting councillors and their families from unnecessary abuse and intimidation.
Being a councillor is a fantastic role but we cannot allow talented people to leave due to rising levels of abuse. Anyone, regardless of their background or political affiliation, should feel safe to become a councillor and be proud to represent their community. We must end abuse in public life and encourage healthy debate if we are to safeguard the future of our local democracy.
Cllr Marianne Overton is Chair of the Local Government Association’s Civility in Public Life Steering Group. The Local Government Association represent councils in England and Wales.
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