Abuse and intimidation of councillors across UK “worsening”, warns LGA

The latest ‘Debate not Hate’ survey, undertaken by the LGA since 2022, has this year been expanded to seek the experiences of principal authority councillors from all four nations of the UK.

Working alongside the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), more than 1,500 councillors responded to the survey which found that:

• 78% of councillors reported feeling some level of personal risk while fulfilling their role as a councillor, with over 85% of female, ethnic minority, LGBT+ or disabled councillors reporting feeling at risk. In England and Wales, this figure rose from 73% in 2025 to 77% in 2026.
• 52% of councillors reported that abuse and intimidation had increased sharply or slightly over the past 12 months, with 25% reporting it had increased sharply.
• 74% of councillors in England reported experiencing some level of abuse or intimidation during the 2026 local election campaign, with over two-thirds of Welsh and Scottish councillors doing so during the Senedd and Scottish Parliament campaigns.
• Over a quarter of councillors (26%) reported having received threats of violence and 7% a threat of death. In England and Wales, reports of threats of violence rose from 21% in 2025 to 25% in 2026.
• Among councillors who have decided not to re-stand at the next elections or are undecided on whether or not to do so, 30% said their decision was influenced by abuse or intimidation; over one in three (35%) said they had made security modifications to their home due to safety concerns.

The LGA warned: “The survey results suggest much more needs to be done by government, police forces, social media platforms and others to tackle the high and growing levels of abuse and intimidation.

“It is clear from the survey that many people are being put off standing or running again for local elected office due to an environment in which abuse and threats are increasingly common.”

Earlier this month, the Electoral Commission warned that more than half (55%) of candidates at the elections held in England in May said they had a problem with harassment or intimidation, up from 47% last year.

The watchdog added that women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with a disability were more likely to experience abuse.

The Electoral Commission’s report said political parties should support the Speaker’s Conference recommendation to develop a code of conduct for campaigning and work with it as it builds on the Principles for Campaigning published ahead of the May elections.

According to the LGA, there have been “important steps forward” in improving councillor safety in recent years, including the introduction of Force Elected Official Advisers (FEOA) and the removal of the requirement for councils to publish councillors’ home addresses in England.

The LGA found that 56% of councillors in England and Wales are aware of the FEOAs, increasing from 40% in the previous year, with even higher awareness in Scotland (76%).

In light of the latest survey, the LGA, COSLA, NILGA and WLGA have urged the UK Government to work with devolved and local governments, local government associations and policing partners to establish formal arrangements to tackle abuse, intimidation, threats and harassment.

Cllr Hannah Dalton, LGA Civility in Public Life Ambassador, said: “The findings of the 2026 Debate Not Hate survey are a stark reminder that abuse, threats and intimidation have become an all too common reality for those who step forward to serve their communities.

“[…] It is deeply alarming that most councillors believe the problem is getting worse, with more than three-quarters having experienced abuse during the May 2026 local elections. This toxic culture is not only affecting those currently in office, it is deterring talented and committed people from standing for election in the first place. That is a direct threat to the strength, diversity and health of our democracy.

“We urgently call on the Government, police forces and social media companies to work with us to tackle this crisis head-on. Concerted action is needed now to confront the growing hostility councillors face and ensure that those who represent their residents can do so without fear of abuse, intimidation or harassment.”

Lottie Winson