UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Rushanara Ali says rising threats against MPs risk deterring youth from politics, as new government measures aim to enhance protection.
As reported by The Guardian, a minister has warned that MPs and political candidates are facing “industrial-scale” harassment, prompting plans for tougher legal penalties.
After the deaths of two MPs and growing reports of election-related harassment, officials say new action is needed to prevent future attacks.
What did Rushanara Ali say about rising harassment in politics?
Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali said MPs are facing significant levels of harassment, warning that it’s discouraging many young people from engaging in politics.
She said,
“In the time that I’ve been an MP, we’ve lost colleagues – my friend Jo Cox, Sir David Amess. We also had the horrific situation of Stephen Timms being attacked in the first week that I was elected in 2010.”
Ms Ali stated,
“What we’ve seen is the level of abuse and hostility increasing to the point where in last year’s general election, there was industrial-scale abuse, threats and intimidation – creating a chilling effect on our democracy.”
She added,
“Week in, week out, I hear of colleagues across different parties – particularly women, but not exclusively – being threatened and intimidated.”
The minister revealed she had received several death threats over the past 12 months.
She said she received a threat to torture and kill her just yesterday, with similar messages sent via email and post during the election campaign.
Ms Ali stated,
“Many colleagues have had that sort of experience. So we’ve got to make sure that our democracy is safe and that people are protected when they decide to enter public life.”
She added,
“I spent my whole life campaigning to encourage people into politics, young people, women, people from diverse backgrounds, men and women. And I fear that if we don’t take action, then more and more people will be put off.”
The minister announced three concrete steps to support candidates and tackle harassment in politics. These will be outlined in an election strategy paper and could be included in a future bill during this parliament.
Ms Ali said,
“It cannot be right that MPs, councillors and others who seek public office are threatened with murder. Sadly, that climate of hostility has led to us losing two of our colleagues.”
She added,
“This is about making sure that those people who are in public life, and those who seek to be in public life … receive the protection they need, and that people aren’t put off politics. Because we are seeing increasing evidence of people not wanting to be in public life, not wanting to be in politics.”
What are the three steps outlined by the government to tackle political harassment?
Under the first change, candidates will no longer need to reveal their home addresses on campaign documents. Current rules prevent self-representing candidates from removing this detail.
The government update means candidates, including those running for local councils, can remove their home addresses from official forms, even if they are self-represented. However, MPs on Hoyle’s committee had pushed for stricter reforms, urging the complete removal of the home address option.
The second proposal is to update the law so that harassing politicians is treated as a more serious crime. This would let judges give stronger punishments.
The third step would stop anyone found guilty of threatening or harassing political candidates from running for election themselves in the future.
Electoral Commission’s views on abuse in politics
A post-election report by the Electoral Commission revealed that 55% of candidates faced harassment, intimidation, or abuse, with 13% calling it a serious issue.
Vijay Rangarajan, the head of the commission, stated,
“Addressing the abuse and intimidation targeted at candidates and elected officials is crucial to safeguarding individuals and their families, but also the health of the UK democracy more widely.”
What did Lindsay Hoyle say about rising threats to politicians?
An MP panel led by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle warned that
“the nature of threats and abuse facing politicians today marks a major shift—and current trends suggest it could worsen.”
The panel also proposed Home Office protection for MPs during elections, ID and address checks for candidates, and broader exclusion zones near polling stations.
Harassment in British politics
Shabana Mahmood was forced to contact police twice in a single weekend after facing harassment while campaigning.
MPs believe the rise in abuse is caused by growing public distrust and a divided society, not by one specific political group or issue.
Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right extremist in 2016, while David Amess was killed by an Islamic State supporter in 2021.