Political candidates seek counselling for abuse during campaigning
Parties are being asked to commit to a 'respectful election campaign', in a venture with the foundation set up in memory of Jo Cox, the Labour MP - Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Political candidates have been forced to seek counselling because they are so traumatised by abuse on the campaign trail, the head of the Electoral Commission has warned.
Writing for The Telegraph, Vijay Rangarajan urged all parties to sign a respect pledge after a survey of hundreds of candidates standing at the English local elections in May found nearly half had experienced intimidation or abuse, while a majority of women said that they avoided campaigning alone.
In some cases, Mr Rangarajan said that aspiring politicians were so traumatised by their experience on the campaign trail that they required counselling. Some said that they had been physically attacked, while one candidate said they had received such troubling abuse online that their children felt unsafe at school.
Of all those surveyed by the Electoral Commission, 43 per cent of candidates reported experiencing abuse or intimidation, with 10 per cent describing it as a serious problem.
This increased to 56 per cent when respondents were presented with a list of specific scenarios, such as receiving physical threats or threats towards family, staff or friends.
Most of the abuse was said to have taken place online, but candidates also reported bad experiences while canvassing or at campaign events.
Mr Rangarajan said that the problem was “particularly severe” among women, with 56 per cent avoiding campaigning alone, while nearly half said they would steer clear of discussing controversial topics to keep themselves safe.
He also noted that more than a third of all those who reported abuse said it came from other candidates.
‘Campaigning is vital to democracy’
To address the problem, Mr Rangarajan urged parties across the political spectrum to commit to a “respectful election campaign”.
The pledge is a joint venture with the Jo Cox Foundation, a charity championing respectful politics that was set up in memory of the murdered Labour MP.
By signing up to the Jo Cox Foundation civility pledge, candidates commit to “using a civil and constructive tone in political debate; acting with integrity, honesty and compassion; and behaving respectfully towards others, including those they disagree with”, Mr Rangarajan said.
The Electoral Commission and the police have also published joint guidance to help candidates protect themselves and report any intimidating or abusive behaviour that they might experience.
Mr Rangarajan said: “Campaigning is vital to our democracy and usually carried out respectfully. However, our research shows that far too many candidates are facing harassment and abuse.
“This can deter candidates from campaigning or standing altogether, significantly impacting voter choice and access to information.
“Threats of violence, unwanted contact and discriminatory abuse are illegal. With the police, we are today publishing safe campaigning guidelines, and we are working together to raise awareness. We urge campaigners to educate their teams about what they can do.”
Su Moore, the chief executive of the Jo Cox Foundation, said: “Through the Jo Cox Civility Commission, we highlighted how abuse and intimidation of politicians negatively affects democracy in the UK and this new research reveals the scale of abuse in our elections, with particularly stark figures on how it is impacting women candidates.
“We all have a responsibility for changing the perception that elected representatives are acceptable targets of abuse and intimidation. For candidates standing in the general election, we have launched a civility pledge in collaboration with Compassion in Politics, which we are urging all candidates to sign as a commitment to running a respectful campaign.”
Sign Jo Cox pledge to keep our democracy respectful and protect candidates
By Vijay Rangarajan and Su Moore
On July 4, voters across the United Kingdom will head to the polls, to choose their local MP. More than 3.000 candidates are expected to put themselves forward and will spend the next four weeks campaigning to win your vote.
Our democratic system is dependent on this process; people choosing to stand, campaign, debate and open themselves up to questions and scrutiny from voters.
But research published today shows that too often this process is being hampered by candidate intimidation.
The Electoral Commission asked candidates who stood at the English local elections in May 2024 about their experiences and the results are concerning. Too many candidates reported experiencing abuse, threatening behaviour, and intimidation during their campaigns.
Almost half of candidates who responded in England said they had some kind of problem with intimidation and abuse. This figure increased to well over half when respondents were presented with a list of specific scenario, such as receiving physical threats or threats towards family, staff, or friends.
For those who said they encountered this behaviour, most reported online and verbal abuse, theft or damaged campaign material. While most of the abuse was received online, candidates also reported experiencing it while out canvassing or at campaign events.
The issue was particularly severe for women, with more than half of female respondents saying they avoided campaigning alone and nearly half saying they avoided discussing controversial topics to keep themselves safe. One in five men said the same.
Our research has uncovered stories of candidates who have been traumatised by their experience on the campaign trail and required counselling; candidates who have reported being physically attacked; and one candidate who told us that the abuse they received online had resulted in their children feeling unsafe at school.
The evidence is clear. If candidates fear abuse, they are less likely to campaign openly, leaving voters without the information they need to make informed choices about their vote. The personal toll on candidates may even lead some to withdraw entirely, further reducing voter choice and harming our democratic process.
Civil and constructive tone
The Electoral Commission and the Jo Cox Foundation are committed to addressing this issue. Together, we are calling on all candidates, parties and campaigners to commit to a respectful election campaign.
Our research tells us that more than a third of candidates who reported abuse said it came from other candidates, so we are asking candidates to sign up to the Jo Cox Foundation Civility Pledge. By signing the pledge, candidates commit to using a civil and constructive tone in political debate; acting with integrity, honesty and compassion; and behaving respectfully towards others, including those they disagree with.
Parties and campaigners can support the pledge by educating their staff and volunteers on the principles of respectful campaigning. If anyone working on their behalf engages in threatening, abusive or intimidating behaviour, we urge them to take immediate action by removing them from the campaign and taking the necessary disciplinary measures.
With one month to go until polling day, the Electoral Commission and the police have also published joint guidance which aims to help and support candidates to understand how to protect themselves and report any intimidating or abusive behaviour they might experience.
Everyone involved in campaigning has a role in ensuring it remains safe and respectful – as well as full of vibrant and strongly felt political debate. Our democracy depends on the free and fair participation of all candidates. Let’s work together to make campaigning a positive experience for everyone involved.
Vijay Rangarajan is chief executive of the Electoral Commission and Su Moore is chief executive of the Jo Cox Foundation
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