The 'health of our democracy' is under threat as candidates face a torrent of vile abuse

Next month, more people will stand for election than at any poll since the 2024 general election. Too many of them will face abuse, harassment or intimidation before a single vote is cast. Last week, a serving MP announced she was suspending face-to-face surgeries with her own constituents after three security incidents in three weeks. She is not alone.

Democracy depends on thousands of people putting themselves forward for election at polls every year. We should celebrate those who do so. Anything which threatens someone’s appetite to stand also threatens the choice facing voters, and their opportunity to hear a diverse range of perspectives, and argue with them. Well-run elections require candidates to engage freely with voters without fear for their safety. Political disagreements are a normal and healthy part of political debate, but it is essential for the health of our democracy that these disagreements don’t descend into abuse or harassment.

Our research shows that political candidates at elections have been subject to unacceptable abuse while campaigning in recent years. After the May 2025 local elections in England, our candidate survey found that 61% of respondents had experienced harassment or security threats during the campaign. Almost three-quarters (71%) said they avoided some campaign activities due to fear of abuse.

This directly undermines the choices and information available to voters. Women and candidates from ethnic minorities face the highest levels of abuse. Too many are already having to change how they campaign. Some are choosing not to stand at all. One female candidate in the general election told us: "I think the women bear the brunt of this because we're perceived as an easier target to convince not to run."

This should not be an inevitable part of political life. But it will not fix itself. Addressing this issue is urgent and it requires the government, police, regulators, political parties and social media companies alike to play their part to protect all those involved in our elections. And it needs campaigners, candidates and volunteers to stick within the bounds of robust but respectful debate. None of us can sit on the sidelines.

Social media is a powerful tool for campaigners to engage with voters and share information with the public, but it is also a medium by which horrific threats of violence are made and false information is spread. Online harassment can spill offline and drive real-world abusive behaviours. Threats made online are no less frightening to candidates and may lead them to avoid in-person events that are democratic cornerstones, including hustings and canvassing.

Social media companies need to do more to address the proliferation of abusive content on their platforms, and we have recommended that they create standardised, rapid-response protocols to remove abusive content and identify perpetrators. Too many candidates have simply stopped reporting abuse. "There is no point," one told us. "Nothing will be done." That has to change.

Abuse not only comes at a great personal cost to individuals but harms our democracy. The action we take against perpetrators must reflect this severity and broader harm, whether the actions are carried out online and offline. One candidate described stopping door-knocking altogether after repeated abuse. Her husband took over because, as she put it, 'being a male, he had a better rapport.’

Government proposals provide an opportunity to do this by strengthening the law to allow for harsher sentencing around abuse of candidates and elected representatives. As the May elections approach, we’ll be working closely with police forces across the country to ensure allegations are treated seriously and consistently. Candidates and election administrators will receive guidance and support about maintaining safety during the election, so everyone can participate freely and without intimidation.

But we can’t just tackle the harm after it has happened, we need tools to reduce the risk in the first place. We believe education is key. That’s why the Commission is developing democratic education materials and resources for young people, covering topics from improving media literacy to respectful debate and articulating ideas, as well as building greater understanding of the crucial role of politicians.

Teaching the next generation how to disagree strongly, with respect and a sense of responsibility, is one of the most important long-term investments we can make in a healthy democracy.

Candidates and political parties also have a duty to uphold the integrity of the electoral process whilst they campaign. This week, we published a set of six straightforward and clear principles for campaigners, drawn from the existing codes of conduct of our political parties. These include that campaigns should be free from abuse, candidates should respect those with different views, and everyone should think carefully about the impact of their language – both online and offline. These are not radical but are the foundation for a functioning democracy.

Ensuring elections are free of abuse and intimidation is one aspect of the work being undertaken to safeguard the integrity of the UK's democratic processes – and voter trust. Last week, the independent Rycroft Review into foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics published its important recommendations on how we can better protect our democracy from foreign interference by closing loopholes and strengthening safeguards around the source of money donated to our politics. Our democracy faces pressures from multiple directions. We cannot afford to be complacent about any of them.

The Electoral Commission is calling for a campaign free from abuse.

Every candidate deserves to campaign without fear. Every voter deserves the option to hear and debate with them.