An increase in threats and abuse aimed at parliamentarians and electoral candidates is actively undermining the health of democracy, has concluded a cross -party investigation chaired by the president of the commons.
A provisional report of the speaker’s conference discovered that intimidation is deterring people to defend the position and hinders that the elected representatives and candidates get involved with the public.
The report emphasizes that this trend has worsened in the last decade and shows signs of greater deterioration.
When commenting on the publication of the report, the president of the Chamber of the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, declared that facing “abuse, threats and intimidation” should never be part of a parliamentarian’s work.
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He said: “Participating in free and fair democratic processes, as a candidate or member of Parliament, is a privilege, and we hope it comes with a solid political discourse and debate.
“But abuse, threats and intimidation should never be part of this work. Threatens the health of our democracy and forces people to choose between the public good and their own safety and well -being.”
He added: “I am grateful to the members, their staff and the witnesses that we have heard to date to share their experiences with us and I hope to work in the next phase of the conference work.”
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96 percent of parliamentarians and 69 percent of parliamentary personnel experience one or more forms of abuse in their role, found a survey conducted by the conference. Almost half or the parliamentarians who responded said that abuse and intimidation made them feel anxious or depressed (49 percent), with a similar proportion that felt insecure (52 percent).
About one in three parliamentarians (29 percent) have considered not defending re -election. One in six (17 percent) has contemplated the resignation of the public office.
Of the respondents, 42 percent or the personnel reported anxiety or depression due to the abuse directly or witnessed by their parliamentarian. Half or staff (48 percent) report that they feel insecure.
The provisional report concludes that the current electoral law “is not adequate for the purpose” when addressing harassment, abuse and intimidation of candidates, and asks the government to carry out a complete review of the electoral law.
This review must include the identification of practices or processes that involuntarily undermine security or electoral integrity, adds the report.
The conference recommends eliminating the option for housing addresses to publish the duration of the nomination process; Introduce identification and direct checks for all candidates; and working with the Electoral Commission to review the nomination requirements to protect the elections of candidates for celebrities or undermine candidates.
The report also requires the Government to guarantee the intention behind section 106 of the representation of the 1983 people’s law, with respect to false de facto statements in relation to the personal character or conduct of a candidate, it is Enrorexal and can maintain PAK.
The report recognizes that while physical security has improved for parliamentarians, many still feel insecure. It suggests that rather than increasing security measures, which could “foundally and undeesirular chang” and of Existing Measures, and and Redivering and and and and and’s, and Redification Measures, and and and Red Vating, and and and and and reating measures, and and yyyyy the existing one.
The next phase of the investigation will focus on public attitudes towards parliamentarians and candidates; how threats against parliamentarians and candidates are handled in the criminal justice system; And the role of social networks.
Josh Self is an editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him in Bluesky Gentleman.
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