The Executive Leader, Councillor S J Conboy to move –
This Council believes:
The intimidation and abuse of councillors, in person or otherwise, undermines democracy; it can prevent elected members from representing the communities they serve, deter individuals from standing for election, and undermine public trust in democratic processes.
Seven in 10 councillors nationally reported experiencing abuse and intimidation in 2022, and councillors reported feeling that abuse is becoming more common and increasing in severity.
Debating and disagreeing with one another has always been, and will continue to be, a healthy part of democracy. However, the right engagement matters, and abuse and intimidation cross the line into dangerous territory and have no place in politics.
Huntingdonshire District Council recognises that increasing levels of toxicity in public and political discourse has a detrimental impact on local democracy and that prevention, support and responses to abuse and intimidation of local politicians must improve to ensure councillors feel safe and able to continue representing their residents. This also has the potential to reduce those willing to offer themselves for election to represent their communities in the future.
This Council:
· will not tolerate the abuse and intimidation of elected members or candidates. We will do all we can to debate without inciting hate so that all councillors in Huntingdonshire District Council, and future candidates, feel safe and able to fulfil their democratic roles.
· will speak with courtesy and respect.
· will write with courtesy and respect.
· will behave with courtesy and respect.
This Council RESOLVES to:
· Challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does.
· Endorse the Local Government Association (LGA) “Debate Not Hate” Campaign.
· Write to the local Members of Parliament to ask them to support the campaign using the LGA’s template letter)
· Write to the Government (using the LGA’s template letter) to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address the abuse and intimidation of politicians.
· Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation and councillor safety.
· Work with the local police to ensure that there is a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families.
· Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.
Contact:20 Minutes.
Minutes:
Councillor S J Conboy moved and it was duly seconded by Councillor J A Gray that
This Council:
· will not tolerate the abuse and intimidation of elected members or candidates. We will do all we can to debate without inciting hate so that all councillors in Huntingdonshire District Council, and future candidates, feel safe and able to fulfil their democratic roles.
· will speak with courtesy and respect.
· will write with courtesy and respect.
· will behave with courtesy and respect.
This Council RESOLVES to:
· Challenge the normalisation of abuse against councillors and uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate in all it does.
· Endorse the Local Government Association (LGA) “Debate Not Hate” Campaign.
· Write to the local Members of Parliament to ask them to support the campaign using the LGA’s template letter)
· Write to the Government (using the LGA’s template letter) to ask them to work with the LGA to develop and implement a plan to address the abuse and intimidation of politicians.
· Regularly review the support available to councillors in relation to abuse and intimidation and councillor safety.
· Work with the local police to ensure that there is a clear and joined-up mechanism for reporting threats and other concerns about the safety of councillors and their families.
· Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.
In presenting the motion, Councillor Conboy explained that debate was an essential part of democracy, but hate was not. Elected Councillors were united in their desire to serve their communities and stood for election because they were passionate about the people they represented and the wards that they served. Passion was not a bad thing; however, passion could be obtained without making things personal or derogatory. She reminded the Council that as councillors it was common to express differences of opinions. Different perspectives enriched the decisions that were taken on behalf of Huntingdonshire residents and were better for understanding all members views and concerns before they were taken.
Councillor Conboy went on to state that the notion in politics of opposition, scrutiny and holding to account was often tainted by what was seen in the media and how politics was sometimes conducted on the television.
Councillor Conboy went on to explain that she was shocked at the abuse and intimidation faced by national politicians but even more so to learn that local councillors can also face this. However, she was pleased to report that this was not the case within the Chamber at Huntingdonshire where colleagues sought to respect each other’s views, find common ground, and welcomed scrutiny from all to improve policy and delivery. Councillor Conboy concluded by explained that she was bringing this motion to Council not because it was required to address concerns but because she hoped the Council would never find itself slipping into the abyss of behaving badly and she urged all members to support the cross-party motion.
In seconding the motion, Councillor JA Gray endorsed what had been said thus far. In addressing the Council, he reiterated that hate was everywhere, particularly online. He drew attention to the growing impact of social media as a damaging aspect of public discourse particular given the potential for anonymity. He went on to state that there were very few who could claim to be very good listeners, most people thinking about the response, rather than genuinely listening to what is being said. In concluding his remarks and using an old metaphor, Councillor Gray suggested that he and his group would commit ‘to play the ball and not player’ within the Council Chamber.
A debate then ensued during which Councillors Tevlin, Howell and Hodgson-Jones spoke in favour of supporting the motion. In so doing, comments were made regarding the tragic deaths of MPs Sir David Amiss and Jo Cox, the need to be able to feel that councillors can live in a society full of free and fair speech without fear of intimidation and harassment and the need for Local Government to be a leading advocate on the need for change.
Comments were also made that the strength of the democratic process depended on the ability of elected members to represent their communities without fear. Concern was also expressed that 70% of councillors across the nation had experienced abuse and intimidation in 2022 and it was alarming to note that the severity and frequency appeared to be on the rise. Councillor Howell suggested that the way Councillors conducted themselves sent a message to those who observe and listen and that by upholding the principles of respect and courtesy Huntingdonshire District Council could set an example for others to follow.
Having been put to the vote, the Motion was declared to be CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.