MPs and political candidates face ‘industrial’ levels of abuse, minister says

A report by the Electoral Commission after last year’s election found that 55% said they had experienced some kind of harassment, intimidation or abuse. Photograph: House of Commons/PA

MPs and political candidates are facing “industrial” levels of intimidation and harassment, a minister has warned, as the government outlines plans for stricter punishments for those found guilty of abuse.

Rushanara Ali, the minister for democracy, said her colleagues were suffering worse harassment than ever before and warned this was deterring many young people from becoming politically active.