MP speaks out about harassment and abuse in the borough

An MP has branded years harassment and abuse directed at local politicians as ‘completely unacceptable’, describing it as ‘a sad example of politics torn by divisive actors’. 

Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton MP Jim McMahon spoke out after councillors in his borough shared the impact of online harassment and death threats on their families.

Independent coun Lisa Navesey claimed her 15-year-old grandson had seen mocked-up pictures of her with a noose around her neck.

Town hall leader Arooj Shah also attended a plea hearing on November 13 of a man charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards her. 

Mr McMahon, who has been involved in Oldham’s politics since 2003, shared in a Facebook post: “The level of abuse and harassment being directed towards councillors across the political spectrum is completely unacceptable and more often than not goes unchecked.

“If we want local people to come forward and serve in public life, it must be safe and rewarding as a bare minimum.

“Oldham is unfortunately a sad example of a politics which is being torn by extreme and divisive actors chasing wedge issues, launching personal attacks and openly disrupting even routine democratic meetings. …

“Members and activists don’t have to agree with each other to be able to debate issues they care about, they don’t even need to particularly like each other. But they do need to show respect and behave appropriately.

“That this has now become normalised is not acceptable. The law needs strengthening, as does the code of conduct. But that is no substitute for personal responsibility.” 

Many councillors who have spoken to the Local Democracy Reporting Service have opened up about experiencing abuse, both online and in-person. 

While much of the harassment comes from a vocal minority of members of the public, others claim the atmosphere between councillors can be almost as ‘toxic’ as online. 

“The level of disrespect and hostility towards people is just indecent,” said one councillor, who did not wish to be named. 

Government are seeking to tighten rules around councillor standards with the aim of introducing greater penalties for elected members who break the rules, such as six-month suspensions. But the current rules have been described as ‘toothless’ by the Local Government Association, with no real sanctions in place or power to enforce them. 

Oldham has the most number of standard complaints against sitting councillors of any other council in Greater Manchester, with more than 20 active investigations.