LGA chairman calls for action against councillor abuse

The Local Government Association chairman, Conservative Cllr James Jamieson, has called for more action to be taken to ensure that councillors and candidates in local elections are not subjected to threats and abuse.

Cllr Jamieson said that "an increasing number of councillors and candidates are being subjected to abuse, threats and intimidation both online and in-person."

The LGA is calling for more evidence of abuse and intimidation of councillors across the country to improve the association’s understanding of the problem.

The LGA offers Councillors' Guide to Handling Intimidation - Practical steps that you and your council can undertake to protect yourself as a person in a public position.

"Abuse of public servants is never acceptable and poses a threat to democracy," said Cllr Jamieson.

"We support the inclusion of a provision to ban anyone who has intimidated candidates, councillors and campaigners from standing for election or holding public office in the Elections Bill which is currently going through parliament. However, more may be needed to protect councillors and local democracy.

"As well as highlighting our councillor Guide to Handling Intimidation, we continue to call for evidence of abuse and intimidation of councillors across the country to further understand the experience of councillors and to ensure robust measures can be taken to tackle this growing issue."