A senior councillor revealed the abuse he has received as civic chiefs revealed the unacceptable comments they can face on a daily basis. A recent Local Government Association found that seven out of ten councillors across councils in England and Wales have experienced abuse over the last year.
And on Wednesday night, (July 20) Cotswold District Council unanimously agreed to denounce such behaviour which they feel is spreading from social media into real life. They also pledged to set an example of good behaviour for others.
Council leader Joe Harris (LD, St Michael's) said it was great that the council was shining a light on the abuse that councillors get. He said such behaviour is unacceptable and explained how councillors across the UK have had their cars hit with firebombs and dog excrement posted through their letter box. He also went into great detail about how he personally has been targeted on many occasions.
Cllr Harris said: "These instances are not acceptable and should be called out. It happens here as well. I myself have had threats of physical abuse online, I've had general abuse. It's quite common if you're on Twitter it can be quite a cesspit at times."
Cllr Harris read out an anonymous letter he received last year and said it was important for people to understand the nature of abuse councillors receive. The letter reads: "To Joe Harris, as a Liberal Demotwat, sorry, my mistake, a Liberal Democrat who's barely out of nappies and knows it all already. You haven't got a clue have you?
"As a majority of now in this town, we all suggest that you crawl back in to your play pen and play with your toys for now. Maybe when you are a lot older and have left school and have a proper job like the rest of us then you can preach to others and see if they will listen to your ludicrous fancies."
He said the letter was just one example of the messages he gets on a semi-regular basis. Cllr Harris also explained he received quite a nasty anonymous email in April which he had to report to the police and had an appalling impact on his mental health.
"It still upsets me just thinking about it. This is the abuse many of us face on a day to day basis and we shouldn't put up with it."
He thanked Conservative Councillor Gina Blomefield (C, Campden & Vale) for bringing forward the motion. She told the council that it is wrong for people to be rude and intimidating towards those who stand for election to make a positive contribution to their society and make a difference.
"It's an issue which can affect anyone who gets involved with public life. We all know of the appalling murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Ames who were killed when carrying out their surgeries.
"It seems probable that some people have become emboldened and encouraged from their rants on Twitter, Facebook, etc or influence others to carry them forward as a way to behave in face to face encounters. This is totally unacceptable. I hope we give a clear steer by adopting debate not hate will stifle this unacceptable behaviour."
The council agreed to endorse the LGA's Debate not Hate campaign and will write to town and parish councils to remind everyone that while democracy thrives on good, frank discussions these should never turn into personal abuse.
