There is a rising tide of abuse in our politics and I feel it every day. This week, the Electoral Commission warned that harassment and intimidation are changing how candidates campaign, what they feel able to do and whether they stand again. This is a threat to our democracy – and we cannot ignore it.
Commission research into the May 2026 local and mayoral elections in England found that 55% of candidates said harassment or intimidation was a problem, up from 47% in 2025. Women, ethnic minority candidates and those with disabilities were most likely to encounter abuse. The experience was so unpleasant that a third considered not standing again.
But none of it is a surprise. I have seen first-hand how abuse, threats and violence have increased in our politics over the years. Since I was elected as an MP in 2015, numerous people have been convicted for attacks, threats and abuse against me.
Someone was sent to prison for saying a “bullet” to the back of my head was justified, while another person was convicted for telling me “come the revolution, you will be one of the first”. Followers of my social media know how bad it can be. I have a regular “block of the month” feature to raise awareness of the disgusting racist abuse sent to me every day – the N-word, “monkey” and “ape” are common insults.
The deluge of abuse has a detrimental impact on my mental health, and on those around me. The abuse is not limited to the internet. I have been physically assaulted going home from work, and followed and verbally abused right outside parliament.
During the last general election and again in this year’s local elections, I was accosted on the street by a local man who made me fear for my safety. I was told I wasn’t welcome in the area, despite being the MP for Brent East, and that next time “I should come prepared”. I reported the incidents to the police.
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