Political parties must ensure their members show respect for one another during elections, the UK's Electoral Commission has stated, following a rise in reported abuse and intimidation.
A survey of 25,000 candidates who stood in the May 2026 English local and mayoral elections found that over half experienced harassment or intimidation, the highest level recorded in the past four years.
The report, published on Monday, indicated that women, individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities were disproportionately affected by these issues. The Electoral Commission is urging political parties to formally include a requirement for members to respect fellow campaigners in their internal rules, with the possibility of disciplinary action for non-compliance.
Online Harassment and AI Concerns
Recommendations also include compelling social media companies to enhance protections for electoral candidates online. This would involve the prompt removal of abusive content and better methods for identifying those responsible for it. Inappropriate contact via social media was identified as the most common form of harassment experienced by local candidates. The survey also flagged disinformation generated by artificial intelligence as a growing concern.
One candidate recounted a distressing experience where their daughter called them from school in tears after seeing online posts that falsely branded them as "racist, fascist and Nazi." Another reported facing death threats while distributing leaflets door-to-door, an experience made more terrifying by their inability to flee due to a disability.
Disparities in Experience
The survey revealed that candidates from Reform UK and Labour were more than twice as likely to report experiencing harassment or intimidation compared to those from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. Green Party candidates and independents fell between these groups. Female respondents were significantly more likely to report avoiding campaigning alone, with 79% stating they had done so at least once, compared to just under half of male candidates. One female candidate mentioned feeling the need to have her husband accompany her.
Overall, a third of all respondents considered not standing for election due to harassment, intimidation, or concerns about future abuse. Only 15% of those who experienced such issues reported them to the police.
Vijay Rangarajan, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, commented on the findings, stating, "These elections demonstrate the growing threats posed to democracy. Without improvements to candidate safety, there is a significant risk that people will be put off standing in future elections."