Councillors back campaign against abuse of local politicians – but admit they need to get their own house in order

Rochdale councillors have backed a campaign to combat the rising levels of abuse being directed at local politicians across the country.

But they also admitted the need to put their own house in order, amid claims some colleagues were guilty of bullying council staff, the public and fellow elected members.

The discussion began with Councillor John Taylor, leader of the Conservative group, calling on councillors to back  the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign to improve support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.

The LGA says that seven in 10 councillors experienced abuse and intimidation over the last 12 months – undermining democracy; preventing elected members from representing their communities and deterring individuals from standing as candidates.

This was reflected in the experience of councillors in Rochdale, who spoke of often having their cars vandalised, ‘funny phone calls’ and being targeted for abuse online.

Two councillors previously told Rochdale Online of their experiences. 

Speaking in November, one councillor, who did not wish to be named, said: "I've felt abused and threatened very frequently since becoming a councillor. Sadly, some of it has come from two fellow councillors in the town. The worst abuse has come from a small handful of their supporters.

"I can also tell you that it has happened to my fellow councillors here in the town and it is completely unacceptable. I have an excellent and friendly working relationship with several of my fellow councillors from opposition parties but the few who are unpleasant take it to extremes of personal abuse."

Another said: "I've received online abuse via social media platforms. This appears to be quite generic and is usually based on the party I represent or the fact that councillors are useless.

"I have attempted to positively challenge the rhetoric on occasion but you end up being ganged up on and under attack. You are held responsible for things outside of your control, such as the lack of high street shops.

"It has made me reluctant to post things that can be perceived as possibly controversial and rather I have focused on sharing community information (such as dates for key events) and promoting ward surgeries."

Councillor Taylor told the meeting: “The LGA has identified how the abuse of councillors is increasing in severity. And I believe it’s incumbent on us to do all that we can to eradicate it locally. There is no place for abuse or intimidation of elected members or candidates across this borough.”

Councillor Andy Kelly, leader of the Lib Dem group, agreed all councillors could all agree with the LGA’s ‘sensible’, ‘off the peg’ stance.

But he said it was crucial councillors met the same standards they were demanding of others.

“When we are in a time where we have a record number of complaints about councillor conduct when it comes to bullying, we have no place asking everybody else to sign up to a code of conduct of how we should be treated,” he said. “It’s double standards.”

He moved an amendment to the original motion calling on all political groups to sign up to an anti-bullying code of conduct, covering all interactions, whether in-person or online.

This was welcomed by the Tories, who agreed it ‘strengthened’ the original proposal.

Councillor Peter Winkler said councillors had to ‘look inwards’ for the reason why people seemed to believe abuse towards them was acceptable.

“It’s because we do it to each other,” he said, adding that name calling, abuse and threats were regularly used by some members.

He continued: “It’s bullying, there are bullies in this room tonight. I will name no names tonight because they know who they are.

“They don’t just bully other councillors, they bully staff that are scared for fear of losing their jobs, for fear of not doing what they are told when they are told. It happens.”

Councillor Irene Davidson, a former council leader who was first elected in 1990, took a slightly different view, telling the meeting that matters had improved over recent years, with councillors learning to respectfully disagree.

But she admitted she was already apprehensive about the May local elections.

“Personally I am dreading it in Milnrow and Newhey,” she said. “I am dreading it because we know what’s going to happen.

“It’s already started, I don’t care who they are, these faceless wonders, but they are out there.

“If this council can do anything to support us and the members of the public and the intimidation that will go on on the doorstep, that would be a wonderful thing.”

The motion, as amended by the Lib Dems, was passed unanimously.

Rochdale full council met at Number One Riverside on Wednesday night (22 March).

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Additional reporting: Rochdale Online News