As the final meeting of Somerset County Council set out the rules and standards for how the new Unitary Somerset would be run, it took Labour Leader Cllr Leigh Redman (Bridgwater North) to make the key point about the civil nature of local democracy that abuse and intimidation have no place in politics. The motion was backed unanimously and as a result Somerset’s new unitary council will take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors or officers and has pledged to uphold exemplary standards of public and political debate. As a result of Cllr Redman’s motion, elected members from across all political parties voted to support signing up the new Somerset Council -elected members and staff – to the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign. Proposing the motion Cllr Redman said: “Democracy is at the heart of local government and councillors are as much part of the community they represent. While debating and disagreeing with each other are an integral part of the process, councillors should not be subjected to abuse and intimidation because of their role.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans (Lib Dem, North Petherton) said: “In passing this motion Somerset County Council – and the new Somerset Council – is fully committed to standing up against abuse and working to promote positive, constructive public and political debate within our community.”
Cllr David Fothergill, Conservative Group Leader, added: “I fully support this motion. The toxicity of abuse and intimidation must be halted and a zero-tolerance approach adopted.”
Cllr John Hunt, Leader of the Independent group, added: “Threats and intimidation cannot be tolerated and I am pleased that we, as a Council, are making that abundantly clear.”
Cllr Martin Dimery, Leader of the Green group, said: “Healthy and constructive debate is the lifeblood of local government political discourse. I am pleased we all agree we must support this important campaign.”
The vulnerability of elected representatives has been at the forefront of the political sphere in recent years with high profile incidents like the murders of Jo Cox MP and Sir David Amess MP.
The most recent Local Government Association (LGA) Councillor Census revealed seven in 10 councillors reported experiencing abuse and intimidation within the last 12 months while one in 10 experienced abuse frequently.
At the meeting, councillors agreed to work together on a cross-party basis to set an example of healthy debate and denounced abusive or threatening behaviour from anyone within the community on social media and in-person.
The council also pledged to support the LGA’s Debate not Hate campaign to remind everyone that while democracy thrives on good, frank discussions these should never turn into personal abuse.
The council resolved to:
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